Gaming system and method providing a wagering game with a transforming card feature

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a wagering game with a transforming card feature.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/400,090, which was filed on Sep.27, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or maycontain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appearsin the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, butotherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Video poker has become very popular. One of the most common variationsof video poker is Five Card Draw Poker. In general, for a play of a FiveCard Draw Poker game, a player is dealt a hand of five cards face upfrom a 52-card deck of playing cards. The player can discard none of,one of, a plurality of but less than all of, or all of the five cardsfrom the player's hand. Each discarded card is replaced with anothercard from the deck. After replacing any discarded cards, the cards ofthe player's hand are evaluated against a paytable to determine whetherthe player's hand forms a winning hand associated with one of aplurality of different winning hand categories.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gamingsystem and method providing a wagering game with a transforming cardfeature.

In one embodiment, the gaming system includes a processor and a memorydevice storing instructions executable by the processor. The gamingsystem initiates a play of a wagering game responsive to receipt of agame-initiation input. The gaming system determines whether atransforming card triggering event occurred. Responsive to determiningthat the transforming card triggering event occurred, the gaming systemrandomly determines a first quantity of non-transforming cards from aset of multiple different non-transforming cards and form a hand ofcards including the first quantity of non-transforming cards and atransforming card. The gaming system displays the hand of cards.

For each non-transforming card in the hand of cards, gaming systemenables input of a hold input for that non-transforming card. The gamingsystem designates each non-transforming card for which the hold input isnot received as a non-held non-transforming card. For each of anynon-held non-transforming cards, gaming system randomly determines areplacement non-transforming card from the set of non-transforming cardsand cause the display device to replace that non-held non-transformingcard with that replacement non-transforming card. Afterwards, the gamingsystem replaces the transforming card with one of the non-transformingcards remaining in the set of non-transforming cards to maximize a valueof the hand of cards. The gaming system determines any award based onthe hand of cards and a paytable and displays any award.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a process or method of operating one exampleembodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosure to provide aplay of one example embodiment of the wagering game with a transformingcard feature of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A, 2 b, and 2C illustrate screen shots of one example embodimentof a gaming system of the present disclosure providing a play of oneexample embodiment of the wagering game with the transforming cardfeature of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate screen shots of one example embodimentof a gaming system of the present disclosure providing another play ofthe wagering game with the transforming card feature.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a networkconfiguration of one example embodiment of the gaming system of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic configuration ofone example embodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of example alternative embodimentsof the gaming system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C is a front view of an example personal gaming device of thegaming system disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Detailed Description uses numbered headings for clarity. Theseheadings do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

1. Example Method

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a process or method 100 of operating oneexample embodiment of the gaming system of the present disclosure toprovide a play of one example embodiment of the wagering game with thetransforming card feature of the present disclosure. In variousembodiments, a set of instructions stored in one or more memories andexecuted by one or more processors represents the process 100. Althoughthe process 100 is described with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 1, many other processes of performing the acts associated with thisprocess 100 may be employed. For example, the order of certain of theblocks or diamonds may be changed, certain of the blocks or diamonds maybe optional, or certain of the blocks or diamonds may not be employed.

In operation of this example embodiment, the process 100 begins afterthe gaming system establishes a credit balance for a player (such asafter an acceptor of the gaming system receives and validates physicalcurrency or a physical ticket associated with a monetary value). Thegaming system receives a game-initiation input (such as an actuation ofa physical deal button or a virtual deal button via a touch screen) and,in response, places a wager on and initiates a play of a wagering gameassociated with a paytable, as block 102 indicates. The paytable isdetermined based on the type of game being played and the wager (or inother embodiments the wagering game's denomination). Table 1 belowincludes an example paytable for a 5 credit (maximum) wager per handJacks or Better Five Card Draw Poker Game. The paytable includes thedifferent winning hand categories, example winning hands associated withthe different winning hand categories, and awards associated with thewinning hand categories. The winning hand categories are listed fromhighest to lowest ranking. Although not shown here, winning hands arealso ranked within the different winning hand categories as is known inthe art. In this example embodiment, the winning hands of the “Jacks orBetter” winning hand category include a pair of Jacks, a pair of Queens,a pair of Kings, and a pair of Aces.

TABLE 1 Winning hand categories, example winning hands, and awards forexample Jacks or Better Five Card Draw Poker (5 credit max wager) AwardWinning Hand Example Winning (5 credit Category Hand bet) Royal Flush A 

 K 

 Q 

 J 

 10 

4000 Straight Flush 10 

 9 

 8 

 7 

 6 

250 Four of a Kind J 

 J♥ J♦ J 

 3 

125 Full House A♥ A♦ A 

 6♦ 6 

40 Flush A 

 J 

 8 

 6 

 2 

30 Straight 8♦ 7 

 6 

 5 

 4 

20 Three of a Kind Q 

 Q♥ Q♦ 6♦ 2 

15 Two Pair 8♦ 8♥ 5♥ 5 

 2 

10 Jacks or Better K♦ K 

 8 

 7 

 2♥ 5

For a play of the wagering game, the gaming system determines whether atransforming card triggering event occurred, as diamond 104 indicates.In this example embodiment, there are three different transforming cardtriggering events, only one of which may occur for a given play of thewagering game: (1) a first transforming card triggering event associatedwith the inclusion of one transforming card in the player hand; (2) asecond transforming card triggering event associated with the inclusionof two transforming cards in the player hand; and (3) a thirdtransforming card triggering event associated with the inclusion ofthree transforming cards in the player hand. This is merely one exampleembodiment, and other embodiments may include more or fewer transformingcard triggering events each associated with any suitable quantity oftransforming cards.

In this example embodiment, the gaming system randomly determineswhether any of the transforming card triggering events occurs for agiven play of the wagering game according to a weighted probabilitytable. For instance, the gaming system stores a weighted probabilitytable including the numbers 1-100,000. The numbers 1-90,000 areassociated with no occurrence of the transforming card triggering event.The numbers 90,001-95,000 are associated with the occurrence of thefirst transforming card triggering event. The numbers 95,001-98,250 areassociated with the occurrence of the second transforming cardtriggering event. The numbers 98,251-100,000 are associated with theoccurrence of the third transforming card triggering event. Uponinitiation of a play of the wagering game, the gaming system randomlygenerates a number from 1-100,000. Responsive to the number being from1-90,000, the gaming system determines that no transforming cardtriggering event occurred. Responsive to the number being from90,001-95,000, the gaming system determines that the first transformingcard triggering event occurred. Responsive to the number being from95,001-98,250, the gaming system determines that the second transformingcard triggering event occurred. Responsive to the number being from98,251-100,000, the gaming system determines that the third transformingcard triggering event occurred. These ranges of numbers are merelyexample ranges and can vary in accordance with the operator's desiredhit percentages for the different transforming card triggering eventsand the desired average expected payback percentage for the wageringgame.

Responsive to the gaming system determining at diamond 104 that atransforming card triggering event did not occur, the gaming systemdetermines and displays a player hand including multiplenon-transforming cards randomly selected from a set of a plurality ofdifferent non-transforming cards, as block 106 indicates. For instance,the set of non-transforming cards includes the cards of a standard52-card deck, and the gaming system randomly determines (withoutreplacement) five of the cards of the standard 52-card deck to includein the player hand.

On the other hand, responsive to the gaming system determining atdiamond 104 that a transforming card triggering event occurred, thegaming system determines and displays a player hand including: (1)multiple non-transforming cards randomly selected from the set ofnon-transforming cards; and (2) at least one transforming card, as block108 indicates. Continuing with the above example, responsive to thegaming system determining that the first transforming card triggeringevent occurred, the gaming system randomly determines (withoutreplacement) four cards of the standard 52-card deck to include in theplayer hand and also includes one transforming card in the player hand.Responsive to the gaming system determining that the second transformingcard triggering event occurred, the gaming system randomly determines(without replacement) three cards of the standard 52-card deck toinclude in the player hand and also includes two transforming cards inthe player hand. Responsive to the gaming system determining that thethird transforming card triggering event occurred, the gaming systemrandomly determines (without replacement) two cards of the standard52-card deck to include in the player hand and also includes threetransforming cards in the player hand.

After forming the player hand, the gaming system enables input of: (1) ahold input for each non-transforming card in the player hand; and (2) adraw input, as block 110 indicates. In this example embodiment, thegaming system automatically holds any transforming cards in the playerhand (though it may not do so in other embodiments). As diamonds 112 and116 indicate, the gaming system monitors for receipt of the card holdinput (or inputs) or the draw input. This enables the player to choosewhich of the initial non-transforming cards of the player hand (if any)to hold and which to discard (if any). Responsive to the gaming systemdetermining at diamond 112 that a card hold input identifying aparticular non-transforming card of the player hand has been received,the gaming system designates that non-transforming card as a held card,as block 114 indicates. The process 100 then proceeds to diamond 116.Responsive to the gaming system determining at diamond 116 that a drawinput has not been received, the process 100 returns to diamond 112.

Responsive to the gaming system determining at diamond 116 that the drawinput has been received, the gaming system determines whether the playerhand includes any non-held non-transforming cards, as diamond 118indicates. Responsive to the gaming system determining at diamond 118that the player hand does not include any non-held non-transformingcards, the process 100 proceeds to diamond 122, described below. Butresponsive to the gaming system determining at diamond 118 that theplayer hand includes one or more non-held non-transforming cards, thegaming system replaces each non-held non-transforming card in the playerhand with a replacement non-transforming card randomly selected from theset of non-transforming cards, as block 120 indicates. For instance, thegaming system randomly selects the replacement card(s) from the cardsremaining in the standard 52-card deck.

The gaming system determines whether the player hand includes anytransforming cards, as diamond 122 indicates. Responsive to the gamingsystem determining at diamond 122 that the player hand does not includeany transforming cards, the process 100 proceeds to block 128, describedbelow. But responsive to the gaming system determining at diamond 122that the player hand includes one or more transforming cards, the gamingsystem determines a highest-ranked hand that can be formed viatransformation of each transforming card in the player hand into one ofthe non-transforming cards remaining in the set of non-transformingcards, as block 124 indicates. In this example embodiment, the gamingsystem makes this determination based on the non-transforming cards inthe player hand (and particularly their suits and values), the quantityof transforming cards in the player hand, the cards remaining in the setof cards (and particularly their suits and values), and the paytable.

After determining that highest-ranked hand, the gaming system forms thathighest-ranked hand by transforming each transforming card in the playerhand into one of the non-transforming cards remaining in the set ofnon-transforming cards, as block 126 indicates. In this exampleembodiment, the gaming system does so without replacement. This meansthat, for each transforming card, in this example embodiment the gamingsystem cannot transform that transforming card into a non-transformingcard already included in or discarded from the player hand. The gamingsystem determines any award for the play of the wagering game based onthe cards in the player hand and the paytable, as block 128 indicates.

2. Example Gaming System Operation

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate screen shots of one example embodiment of agaming system of the present disclosure providing a play of one exampleembodiment of the wagering game with the transforming card feature ofthe present disclosure. Here, the wagering game is a Three-Hand Jacks orBetter Five Card Draw Poker game (referred to below as the “poker game”for brevity).

In this example embodiment, to activate the transforming card featurefor a play of the poker game, the gaming system requires placement of amaximum wager and payment of a transforming card feature activation feein addition to the maximum wager. The gaming system does not use thetransforming card feature activation fee to determine any award for theplay of the poker game. Here, the maximum wager is 15 credits (5 creditson each of the three hands, though it may be any suitable amount), andthe transforming card feature activation fee is 15 credits (though itmay be any suitable amount). In other embodiments, the gaming systemrequires placement of a particular wager (such as the maximum wager) ora minimum wager—but not payment of a transforming card featureactivation fee—to activate the transforming card feature. In furtherembodiments, the gaming system activates the transforming card featurefor each play of the poker game without requiring payment of a separatetransforming card feature activation fee or placement of a particular orminimum wager.

If the transforming card feature is active for a given play of the pokergame, the gaming system randomly determines whether to include one, two,or three transforming cards in the primary hand (and additional hands)for that play, as described below. But if the transforming card featureis not active for a given play of the poker game, the gaming system doesnot include any transforming cards in any of the player hands for thatplay.

More specifically, in this example embodiment, responsive to determiningthat the transforming card feature is active for a given play of thepoker game, the gaming system randomly determines a number from1-100,000, as described above. As also described above: (1) responsiveto the number being from 1-90,000, the gaming system determines that notransforming card triggering event occurred; (2) responsive to thenumber being from 90,001-95,000, the gaming system determines that thefirst transforming card triggering event occurred; (3) responsive to thenumber being from 95,001-98,250, the gaming system determines that thesecond transforming card triggering event occurred; and (4) responsiveto the number being from 98,251-100,000, the gaming system determinesthat the third transforming card triggering event occurred.

Responsive to the determining that a transforming card triggering eventdid not occur, the gaming system randomly determines (withoutreplacement) five non-transforming cards from a primary set of aplurality of different non-transforming cards to include in the primaryhand. In this example embodiment, the primary set of non-transformingcards includes the cards of a standard 52-card deck. The primary set ofcards may include any suitable quantity of any suitable cards in otherembodiments.

Responsive to determining that the first transforming card triggeringevent occurred, the gaming system randomly determines (withoutreplacement) four cards from the primary set of non-transforming cardsto include in the primary hand and also includes one transforming cardin the primary hand. Responsive to determining that the secondtransforming card triggering event occurred, the gaming system randomlydetermines (without replacement) three cards from the primary set ofnon-transforming cards to include in the primary hand and also includestwo transforming cards in the primary hand. Responsive to determiningthat the third transforming card triggering event occurred, the gamingsystem randomly determines (without replacement) two cards from theprimary set of non-transforming cards to include in the primary hand andalso includes three transforming cards in the primary hand.

Before or during play of the poker game, at various points the gamingsystem displays one or more of a plurality of buttons actuatable via atouch screen including: (1) a SEE PAYS/HELP button 271, (2) a MORE GAMESbutton 272, (3) a SPEED button 273, (4) a BET ONE button 274, (5) a BETMAX button 275, and (6) a DEAL/DRAW button 277. Responsive to the gamingsystem receiving an actuation of the SEE PAYS/HELP button 271, thegaming system displays an interactive menu that includes the rules ofthe poker game. Responsive to the gaming system receiving an actuationof the MORE GAMES button 272, the gaming system displays an interactivemenu of additional games the player can play via the gaming system.Responsive to the gaming system receiving an actuation of the SPEEDbutton 273, the gaming system modifies the speed at which the gamingsystem displays plays of the poker game. Responsive to the gaming systemreceiving an actuation of the BET ONE button 274, the gaming systemincreases the player's wager by 1 credit per hand. Responsive to thegaming system receiving an actuation of the BET MAX button 275, thegaming system increases the player's wager to 5 credits per hand.Responsive to the gaming system receiving an actuation of the DEAL/DRAWbutton 277 before a play of the poker game has been initiated, thegaming system places a wager and initiates a play of the poker game.Responsive to the gaming system receiving an actuation of the DEAL/DRAWbutton 277 after a play of the poker game has been initiated, the gamingsystem replaces any non-held non-transforming cards with replacementnon-transforming cards, if necessary adds one or more cards to theadditional hands so each includes five cards, and transforms anytransforming cards into non-transforming cards to maximize the hands'values, as described below.

Before or during play of the poker game, at various points the gamingsystem displays a plurality of meters including: (1) a credit meter 281that indicates the player's credit balance; (2) a wager meter 282 thatdisplays the player's total wager for a play of the poker game and thetransforming card feature activation fee (if paid); and (3) an awardmeter 283 that displays any awards won for a play of the poker game.While in this example embodiment the gaming system indicates theplayer's credit balance, the player's wager, and any awards in credits,the gaming system may also indicate them in currency (e.g., U.S.dollars).

FIG. 2A is a screenshot of the gaming system after the gaming system:(1) received an actuation of the DEAL/DRAW button 277; (2) initiated aplay of the poker game, placed a 15 credit wager (5 credits per hand) onthe play of the poker game, deducted the 15 credit wager from the creditbalance, and deducted a 15 credit transforming card feature activationfee from the credit balance; (3) randomly determined that the secondtransforming card triggering event occurred and added a firsttransforming card 214 and a second transforming card 215 to a primaryhand 210; and (4) randomly determined three non-transforming cards 9♦211, 5

212, and 4♥ 213 from the primary set of non-transforming cards and addedthem to the primary hand 210.

The gaming system enables the player to choose one or more of theinitially dealt non-transforming cards of the primary hand 210 to hold.The player may choose to hold up to all of the initially dealtnon-transforming cards of the primary hand 210. As described below, thegaming system discards any non-held non-transforming cards from theprimary hand 210 and replaces any non-held non-transforming cards withreplacement non-transforming cards from the cards remaining in theprimary set of non-transforming cards. The gaming system automaticallyholds the first and second transforming cards 214 and 215.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the gaming system receives a selection of the5

212 and the 4♥ 213 from the primary hand 210 to hold and designatesthose non-transforming cards as held cards. In this example embodiment,the gaming system duplicates each held card from the primary hand 210 ineach additional hand 220 and 230. Accordingly, the gaming systemdisplays first and second incomplete additional hands 220 and 230 eachincluding the 5

222 and 232, respectively; the 4♥ 223 and 233, respectively; the firsttransforming card 224 and 234, respectively; and the second transformingcard 225 and 235, respectively. The gaming system receives an actuationof the DEAL/DRAW button 277.

The gaming system then replaces any non-held non-transforming cards ofthe primary hand with replacement non-transforming cards, if necessaryadds one or more non-transforming cards to the additional hands so theyeach include five cards, and transforms any transforming cards intonon-transforming cards to maximize the hands' values. More specifically,as illustrated in FIG. 2C, responsive to the actuation of the DEAL/DRAWbutton 277, the gaming system randomly determines replacementnon-transforming card Q

211 a from the cards remaining in the primary set of non-transformingcards and replaces the non-held 9♦ 211 with this replacementnon-transforming card.

The gaming system then adds a non-transforming card to each of the firstand second additional hands 220 and 230 so they each include five cardsbefore transforming the transforming cards into non-transforming cards.Specifically, the gaming system completes the first additional hand 220by randomly selecting one card—here, 10

221—from a first additional set of non-transforming cards that includesthe cards of a standard 52-card deck without the non-transforming cardsalready included in the first additional hand 220 (i.e., the 5

and the 4♥). The first additional set of cards may include any suitablequantity of any suitable cards in other embodiments. Similarly, thegaming system completes the second additional hand 230 by randomlyselecting one card—here, 5♦ 231—from a second additional set ofnon-transforming cards that includes the cards of a standard 52-carddeck without the non-transforming cards already included in the firstadditional hand 230 (i.e., the 5

and the 4♥). The second additional set of cards may include any suitablequantity of any suitable cards in other embodiments. In this exampleembodiment, the gaming system forms the primary, first additional, andsecond additional hands from separate yet initially identical sets ofnon-transforming cards, though this may differ in other embodiments.

After each hand includes five cards, for each hand the gaming systemtransforms any transforming cards in that hand into non-transformingcards to maximize the value of that hand. In this embodiment, the gamingsystem maximizes a hand's value by maximizing the hand's rank accordingto the paytable, without considering kickers (though the gaming systemconsiders kickers in other embodiments). Particularly, for each hand,the gaming system uses: (1) the non-transforming cards in that hand (andparticularly their suits and values); (2) the quantity of transformingcards in that hand; (3) the cards remaining in the set of cards for thathand (and particularly their suits and values); and (4) the paytable todetermine which non-transforming cards from that hand's set ofnon-transforming cards to use to replace that hand's transforming cardsto maximize that hand's rank.

For the primary hand 210, the gaming system determines (based on thecards Q

211 a, 5

212, and 4♥213; the fact that the primary hand 210 includes twotransforming cards 214 and 215; the cards remaining in the primary setof cards; and the paytable 279) that transforming the transforming cards214 and 215 into the Q♥ and the Q♦ would maximize the rank of theprimary hand 210. That is, given the Q

211 a, 5

212, and 4♥ 213 and the fact that the gaming system must transform twonon-transforming cards into non-transforming cards, the gaming systemdetermines that the best possible rank the primary hand 210 can attaingiven the cards remaining in the primary set of cards is Three of a KindQueens.

For the first additional hand 220, the gaming system determines (basedon the cards 10

221, 5

222, and 4♥ 223; the fact that the first additional hand 220 includestwo transforming cards 224 and 225; the cards remaining in the firstadditional set of cards; and the paytable 279) that transforming thetransforming cards 224 and 225 into 10♥ and 10♦ would maximize the rankof the first additional hand 220. That is, given the 104

221, 5

222, and 4♥ 223 and the fact that the gaming system must transform twonon-transforming cards into non-transforming cards, the gaming systemdetermines that the best possible rank the first additional hand 220 canattain given the cards remaining in the first additional set of cards isThree of a Kind Tens.

For the second additional hand 230, the gaming system determines (basedon the cards 5♦ 231, 5

232, and 4♥ 233; the fact that the second additional hand includes twotransforming cards 234 and 235; the cards remaining in the secondadditional set of cards; and the paytable 279) that transforming thetransforming cards 234 and 235 into 5

and 5♥ would maximize the rank of the second additional hand 230. Thatis, given the 5♦ 231, 5

232, and 4♥ 233 and the fact that the gaming system must transform twonon-transforming cards into non-transforming cards, the gaming systemdetermines that the best possible rank the second additional hand 230can attain given the cards remaining in the second additional set ofcards is Four of a Kind Fives.

In this example embodiment, for a given hand, the gaming system is notconfigured to transform a transforming card into a non-transforming cardalready selected from the set of cards associated with that hand. Inother words, the hand of cards cannot contain any duplicate cards inthis example embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the gaming system transforms the transforming cards214 and 215 into Q♥ 214 a and Q♦ 215 a, respectively; the transformingcards 224 and 225 into 10♥ 224 a and 10♦ 225 a, respectively; and thetransforming cards 234 and 235 into 5

234 a and 5♥ 235 a, respectively, to maximize the values of the primary,first additional, and second additional hands 210, 220, and 230. Thegaming system determines an award for each hand that forms a winninghand according to the paytable 279. The primary hand 210 and the firstadditional hand 220 each form a Three of a Kind associated with a 15credit award and the second additional hand 230 forms a Four of a Kindassociated with a 125 credit award. The gaming system increases thecredit balance by 155 to reflect the awards and displays the total 155credit award in the award meter 283.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate screen shots of the gaming system providinganother play of the above example embodiment of the poker game with thetransforming card feature of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a screenshot of the gaming system after the gaming system:(1) received an actuation of the DEAL/DRAW button 277; (2) initiatedanother play of the poker game, placed a 15 credit wager (5 credits perhand) on the play of the poker game, deducted the 15 credit wager fromthe credit balance, and deducted a 15 credit transforming card featureactivation fee from the credit balance; (3) randomly determined that thethird transforming card triggering event occurred and added a firsttransforming card 313, a second transforming card 314, and a thirdtransforming card 315 to a primary hand 310; and (4) randomly determinedtwo non-transforming cards A♥ 311 and A

312 from the primary set of non-transforming cards and added them to theprimary hand 310.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the gaming system receives a selection of theA

311 and the A

312 from the primary hand 310 to hold and designates thosenon-transforming cards as held cards. The gaming system alsoautomatically holds the first, second, and third transforming cards 313,314, and 315. The gaming system displays first and second additionalhands 320 and 330 each including the A

321 and 331, respectively; the A

322 and 332, respectively; the first transforming card 323 and 333,respectively; the second transforming card 324 and 334, respectively;and the third transforming card 325 and 335, respectively. The gamingsystem receives an actuation of the DEAL/DRAW button 277.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, responsive to the actuation of the DEAL/DRAWbutton 277, since the primary hand 310 doesn't include any non-heldnon-transforming cards and since the first and second additional hands320 and 330 each already have five cards, for each hand the gamingsystem transforms any transforming cards in that hand intonon-transforming cards to maximize the value of that hand.

For the primary hand 310, the gaming system determines (based on thecards A

311 and A

312; the fact that the primary hand 310 includes three transformingcards 313, 314, and 315; the cards remaining in the primary set ofcards; and the paytable 279) that transforming the transforming cards313, 314, and 315 into the A♥, the A♦, and the 2♥ would maximize therank of the primary hand 310. That is, given the A

311 and A

312 and the fact that the gaming system must transform threenon-transforming cards into non-transforming cards, the gaming systemdetermines that the best possible rank the primary hand 310 can attaingiven the cards remaining in the primary set of cards is Four of a KindAces.

For the first additional hand 320, the gaming system determines (basedon the cards A

321 and A

322; the fact that the first additional hand 320 includes threetransforming cards 323, 324, and 325; the cards remaining in the firstadditional set of cards; and the paytable 279) that transforming thetransforming cards 323, 324, and 325 into the A♥, the A♦, and the 2♥would maximize the rank of the first additional hand 320. That is, giventhe A

321 and A

322 and the fact that the gaming system must transform threenon-transforming cards into non-transforming cards, the gaming systemdetermines that the best possible rank the first additional hand 320 canattain given the cards remaining in the first additional set of cards isFour of a Kind Aces.

For the second additional hand 320, the gaming system determines (basedon the cards A

331 and A

332; the fact that the second additional hand 330 includes threetransforming cards 333, 334, and 335; the cards remaining in the secondadditional set of cards; and the paytable 279) that transforming thetransforming cards 333, 334, and 335 into the A♥, the A♦, and the 2♥would maximize the rank of the second additional hand 330. That is,given the A

331 and A

332 and the fact that the gaming system must transform threenon-transforming cards into non-transforming cards, the gaming systemdetermines that the best possible rank the second additional hand 330can attain given the cards remaining in the second additional set ofcards is Four of a Kind Aces.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the gaming system transforms the transforming cards313, 314, and 315 into A♥ 313 a, A♦ 314 a, and 2♥ 315 a, respectively;the transforming cards 323, 324, and 325 into A♥ 323 a, A♦ 324 a, and 2♥325 a, respectively; and the transforming cards 333, 334, and 335 intoA♥ 333 a, A♦ 334 a, and 2♥ 335 a, respectively, to maximize the valuesof the primary, first additional, and second additional hands 310, 320,and 330. The gaming system determines an award for each hand that formsa winning hand according to the paytable 279. Each hand forms a Four ofa Kind associated with a 125 credit award. The gaming system increasesthe credit balance by 375 to reflect the awards and displays the total375 credit award in the award meter 283.

3. Variations

In other embodiments, the gaming system maximizes a hand's value bytransforming the transforming card(s) to maximize the award associatedwith the hand, but not necessarily the rank of the hand. For instance,in the paytable of the above example, Three of a Kind Aces and Three ofa Kind Twos are associated with the same 15 credit award. In the exampleembodiment described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3C, if theprimary hand included A♥, 2

, 6

, and two transforming cards, the gaming system would transform thetransforming cards into two of the remaining Aces in the primary set ofcards to maximize the rank of the primary hand. But in these otherembodiments, the gaming system would transform the transforming cardsinto two of the remaining Aces in the primary set of cards, two of theremaining Twos in the primary set of cards, or two of the remainingSixes in the primary set of cards to maximize the award associated withthe primary hand (and not necessarily its rank). The gaming system may,for instance, randomly determine whether to replace the transformingcards with a pair of Aces, Twos, or Sixes.

The present disclosure contemplates that:

-   -   (a) the quantity of transforming cards available per hand;    -   (b) the occurrence of the transforming card triggering event;        and/or    -   (c) any other variables or determinations described herein

may be: (1) predetermined; (2) randomly determined; (3) randomlydetermined based on one or more weighted percentages (such as accordingto a weighted table); (4) determined based on a generated symbol orsymbol combination; (5) determined independent of a generated symbol orsymbol combination; (6) determined based on a random determination by acentral controller (described below); (7) determined independent of arandom determination by the central controller; (8) determined based ona random determination at an EGM; (9) determined independent of a randomdetermination at the EGM; (10) determined based on at least one play ofat least one game; (11) determined independent of at least one play ofat least one game; (12) determined based on a player's selection; (13)determined independent of a player's selection; (14) determined based onone or more side wagers placed; (15) determined independent of one ormore side wagers placed; (16) determined based on the player's primarygame wager or wager level; (17) determined independent of the player'sprimary game wager or wager level; (18) determined based on time (suchas the time of day); (19) determined independent of time (such as thetime of day); (20) determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulatedin one or more pools; (21) determined independent of an amount ofcoin-in accumulated in one or more pools; (22) determined based on astatus of the player (i.e., a player tracking status); (23) determinedindependent of a status of the player (i.e., a player tracking status);(24) determined based on one or more other determinations disclosedherein; (25) determined independent of any other determination disclosedherein; or (26) determined in any other suitable manner or based on orindependent of any other suitable factor(s).

4. Gaming Systems

The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure may beimplemented in accordance with or in conjunction with one or more of avariety of different types of gaming systems, such as, but not limitedto, those described below.

The present disclosure contemplates a variety of different gamingsystems each having one or more of a plurality of different features,attributes, or characteristics. A “gaming system” as used herein refersto various configurations of: (a) one or more central servers, centralcontrollers, or remote hosts; (b) one or more electronic gaming machinessuch as those located on a casino floor; and/or (c) one or more personalgaming devices, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tabletcomputers or computing devices, personal digital assistants, mobilephones, and other mobile computing devices.

Thus, in various embodiments, the gaming system of the presentdisclosure includes: (a) one or more electronic gaming machines incombination with one or more central servers, central controllers, orremote hosts; (b) one or more personal gaming devices in combinationwith one or more central servers, central controllers, or remote hosts;(c) one or more personal gaming devices in combination with one or moreelectronic gaming machines; (d) one or more personal gaming devices, oneor more electronic gaming machines, and one or more central servers,central controllers, or remote hosts in combination with one another;(e) a single electronic gaming machine; (f) a plurality of electronicgaming machines in combination with one another; (g) a single personalgaming device; (h) a plurality of personal gaming devices in combinationwith one another; (i) a single central server, central controller, orremote host; and/or (j) a plurality of central servers, centralcontrollers, or remote hosts in combination with one another.

For brevity and clarity and unless specifically stated otherwise, theterm “EGM” is used herein to refer to an electronic gaming machine (suchas a slot machine, a video poker machine, a video lottery terminal(VLT), a video keno machine, or a video bingo machine located on acasino floor). Additionally, for brevity and clarity and unlessspecifically stated otherwise, “EGM” as used herein represents one EGMor a plurality of EGMs, “personal gaming device” as used hereinrepresents one personal gaming device or a plurality of personal gamingdevices, and “central server, central controller, or remote host” asused herein represents one central server, central controller, or remotehost or a plurality of central servers, central controllers, or remotehosts.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the gaming system includes anEGM (or personal gaming device) in combination with a central server,central controller, or remote host. In such embodiments, the EGM (orpersonal gaming device) is configured to communicate with the centralserver, central controller, or remote host through a data network orremote communication link. In certain such embodiments, the EGM (orpersonal gaming device) is configured to communicate with another EGM(or personal gaming device) through the same data network or remotecommunication link or through a different data network or remotecommunication link. For example, the gaming system illustrated in FIG. 4includes a plurality of EGMs 1000 that are each configured tocommunicate with a central server, central controller, or remote host1056 through a data network 1058.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes an EGM (orpersonal gaming device) in combination with a central server, centralcontroller, or remote host, the central server, central controller, orremote host is any suitable computing device (such as a server) thatincludes at least one processor and at least one memory device or datastorage device. As further described herein, the EGM (or personal gamingdevice) includes at least one EGM (or personal gaming device) processorconfigured to transmit and receive data or signals representing events,messages, commands, or any other suitable information between the EGM(or personal gaming device) and the central server, central controller,or remote host. The at least one processor of that EGM (or personalgaming device) is configured to execute the events, messages, orcommands represented by such data or signals in conjunction with theoperation of the EGM (or personal gaming device). Moreover, the at leastone processor of the central server, central controller, or remote hostis configured to transmit and receive data or signals representingevents, messages, commands, or any other suitable information betweenthe central server, central controller, or remote host and the EGM (orpersonal gaming device). The at least one processor of the centralserver, central controller, or remote host is configured to execute theevents, messages, or commands represented by such data or signals inconjunction with the operation of the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host. One, more than one, or each of the functionsof the central server, central controller, or remote host may beperformed by the at least one processor of the EGM (or personal gamingdevice). Further, one, more than one, or each of the functions of the atleast one processor of the EGM (or personal gaming device) may beperformed by the at least one processor of the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host.

In certain such embodiments, computerized instructions for controllingany games (such as any primary or base games and/or any secondary orbonus games) displayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device) areexecuted by the central server, central controller, or remote host. Insuch “thin client” embodiments, the central server, central controller,or remote host remotely controls any games (or other suitableinterfaces) displayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device), and theEGM (or personal gaming device) is utilized to display such games (orsuitable interfaces) and to receive one or more inputs or commands. Inother such embodiments, computerized instructions for controlling anygames displayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device) are communicatedfrom the central server, central controller, or remote host to the EGM(or personal gaming device) and are stored in at least one memory deviceof the EGM (or personal gaming device). In such “thick client”embodiments, the at least one processor of the EGM (or personal gamingdevice) executes the computerized instructions to control any games (orother suitable interfaces) displayed by the EGM (or personal gamingdevice).

In various embodiments in which the gaming system includes a pluralityof EGMs (or personal gaming devices), one or more of the EGMs (orpersonal gaming devices) are thin client EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) and one or more of the EGMs (or personal gaming devices) arethick client EGMs (or personal gaming devices). In other embodiments inwhich the gaming system includes one or more EGMs (or personal gamingdevices), certain functions of one or more of the EGMs (or personalgaming devices) are implemented in a thin client environment, andcertain other functions of one or more of the EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) are implemented in a thick client environment. In one suchembodiment in which the gaming system includes an EGM (or personalgaming device) and a central server, central controller, or remote host,computerized instructions for controlling any primary or base gamesdisplayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device) are communicated fromthe central server, central controller, or remote host to the EGM (orpersonal gaming device) in a thick client configuration, andcomputerized instructions for controlling any secondary or bonus gamesor other functions displayed by the EGM (or personal gaming device) areexecuted by the central server, central controller, or remote host in athin client configuration.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGM(or personal gaming device) configured to communicate with a centralserver, central controller, or remote host through a data network;and/or (b) a plurality of EGMs (or personal gaming devices) configuredto communicate with one another through a data network, the data networkis a local area network (LAN) in which the EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) are located substantially proximate to one another and/or thecentral server, central controller, or remote host. In one example, theEGMs (or personal gaming devices) and the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host are located in a gaming establishment or aportion of a gaming establishment.

In other embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGM (orpersonal gaming device) configured to communicate with a central server,central controller, or remote host through a data network; and/or (b) aplurality of EGMs (or personal gaming devices) configured to communicatewith one another through a data network, the data network is a wide areanetwork (WAN) in which one or more of the EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) are not necessarily located substantially proximate to anotherone of the EGMs (or personal gaming devices) and/or the central server,central controller, or remote host. For example, one or more of the EGMs(or personal gaming devices) are located: (a) in an area of a gamingestablishment different from an area of the gaming establishment inwhich the central server, central controller, or remote host is located;or (b) in a gaming establishment different from the gaming establishmentin which the central server, central controller, or remote host islocated. In another example, the central server, central controller, orremote host is not located within a gaming establishment in which theEGMs (or personal gaming devices) are located. In certain embodiments inwhich the data network is a WAN, the gaming system includes a centralserver, central controller, or remote host and an EGM (or personalgaming device) each located in a different gaming establishment in asame geographic area, such as a same city or a same state. Gamingsystems in which the data network is a WAN are substantially identicalto gaming systems in which the data network is a LAN, though thequantity of EGMs (or personal gaming devices) in such gaming systems mayvary relative to one another.

In further embodiments in which the gaming system includes: (a) an EGM(or personal gaming device) configured to communicate with a centralserver, central controller, or remote host through a data network;and/or (b) a plurality of EGMs (or personal gaming devices) configuredto communicate with one another through a data network, the data networkis an internet (such as the Internet) or an intranet. In certain suchembodiments, an Internet browser of the EGM (or personal gaming device)is usable to access an Internet game page from any location where anInternet connection is available. In one such embodiment, after the EGM(or personal gaming device) accesses the Internet game page, the centralserver, central controller, or remote host identifies a player beforeenabling that player to place any wagers on any plays of any wageringgames. In one example, the central server, central controller, or remotehost identifies the player by requiring a player account of the playerto be logged into via an input of a unique username and passwordcombination assigned to the player. The central server, centralcontroller, or remote host may, however, identify the player in anyother suitable manner, such as by validating a player trackingidentification number associated with the player; by reading a playertracking card or other smart card inserted into a card reader (asdescribed below); by validating a unique player identification numberassociated with the player by the central server, central controller, orremote host; or by identifying the EGM (or personal gaming device), suchas by identifying the MAC address or the IP address of the Internetfacilitator. In various embodiments, once the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host identifies the player, the central server,central controller, or remote host enables placement of one or morewagers on one or more plays of one or more primary or base games and/orone or more secondary or bonus games, and displays those plays via theInternet browser of the EGM (or personal gaming device). Examples ofimplementations of Internet-based gaming are further described in U.S.Pat. No. 8,764,566, entitled “Internet Remote Game Server,” and U.S.Pat. No. 8,147,334, entitled “Universal Game Server,” which areincorporated herein by reference.

The central server, central controller, or remote host and the EGM (orpersonal gaming device) are configured to connect to the data network orremote communications link in any suitable manner. In variousembodiments, such a connection is accomplished via: a conventional phoneline or other data transmission line, a digital subscriber line (DSL), aT-1 line, a coaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, a wireless or wiredrouting device, a mobile communications network connection (such as acellular network or mobile Internet network), or any other suitablemedium. The expansion in the quantity of computing devices and thequantity and speed of Internet connections in recent years increasesopportunities for players to use a variety of EGMs (or personal gamingdevices) to play games from an ever-increasing quantity of remote sites.Additionally, the enhanced bandwidth of digital wireless communicationsmay render such technology suitable for some or all communications,particularly if such communications are encrypted. Higher datatransmission speeds may be useful for enhancing the sophistication andresponse of the display and interaction with players.

5. EGM Components

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example EGM 1000 and FIGS. 6A and 6Binclude two different example EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b. The EGMs 1000,2000 a, and 2000 b are merely example EGMs, and different EGMs may beimplemented using different combinations of the components shown in theEGMs 1000, 2000 a, and 2000 b. Although the below refers to EGMs, invarious embodiments personal gaming devices (such as personal gamingdevice 2000 c of FIG. 4C) may include some or all of the belowcomponents.

In these embodiments, the EGM 1000 includes a master gaming controller1012 configured to communicate with and to operate with a plurality ofperipheral devices 1022.

The master gaming controller 1012 includes at least one processor 1010.The at least one processor 1010 is any suitable processing device or setof processing devices, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller-basedplatform, a suitable integrated circuit, or one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), configured to executesoftware enabling various configuration and reconfiguration tasks, suchas: (1) communicating with a remote source (such as a server that storesauthentication information or game information) via a communicationinterface 1006 of the master gaming controller 1012; (2) convertingsignals read by an interface to a format corresponding to that used bysoftware or memory of the EGM; (3) accessing memory to configure orreconfigure game parameters in the memory according to indicia read fromthe EGM; (4) communicating with interfaces and the peripheral devices1022 (such as input/output devices); and/or (5) controlling theperipheral devices 1022. In certain embodiments, one or more componentsof the master gaming controller 1012 (such as the at least one processor1010) reside within a housing of the EGM (described below), while inother embodiments at least one component of the master gaming controller1012 resides outside of the housing of the EGM.

The master gaming controller 1012 also includes at least one memorydevice 1016, which includes: (1) volatile memory (e.g., RAM 1009, whichcan include non-volatile RAM, magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, and anyother suitable forms); (2) non-volatile memory 1019 (e.g., disk memory,FLASH memory, EPROMs, EEPROMs, memristor-based non-volatile solid-statememory, etc.); (3) unalterable memory (e.g., EPROMs 1008); (4) read-onlymemory; and/or (5) a secondary memory storage device 1015, such as anon-volatile memory device, configured to store gaming software relatedinformation (the gaming software related information and the memory maybe used to store various audio files and games not currently being usedand invoked in a configuration or reconfiguration). Any other suitablemagnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory may operate inconjunction with the EGM disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, theat least one memory device 1016 resides within the housing of the EGM(described below), while in other embodiments at least one component ofthe at least one memory device 1016 resides outside of the housing ofthe EGM.

The at least one memory device 1016 is configured to store, for example:(1) configuration software 1014, such as all the parameters and settingsfor a game playable on the EGM; (2) associations 1018 betweenconfiguration indicia read from an EGM with one or more parameters andsettings; (3) communication protocols configured to enable the at leastone processor 1010 to communicate with the peripheral devices 1022;and/or (4) communication transport protocols (such as TCP/IP, USB,Firewire, IEEE1394, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11x (IEEE 802.11 standards),hiperlan/2, HomeRF, etc.) configured to enable the EGM to communicatewith local and non-local devices using such protocols. In oneimplementation, the master gaming controller 1012 communicates withother devices using a serial communication protocol. A few non-limitingexamples of serial communication protocols that other devices, such asperipherals (e.g., a bill validator or a ticket printer), may use tocommunicate with the master game controller 1012 include USB, RS-232,and Netplex (a proprietary protocol developed by IGT).

In certain embodiments, the at least one memory device 1016 isconfigured to store program code and instructions executable by the atleast one processor of the EGM to control the EGM. The at least onememory device 1016 of the EGM also stores other operating data, such asimage data, event data, input data, random number generators (RNGs) orpseudo-RNGs, paytable data or information, and/or applicable game rulesthat relate to the play of one or more games on the EGM. In variousembodiments, part or all of the program code and/or the operating datadescribed above is stored in at least one detachable or removable memorydevice including, but not limited to, a cartridge, a disk, a CD ROM, aDVD, a USB memory device, or any other suitable non-transitory computerreadable medium. In certain such embodiments, an operator (such as agaming establishment operator) and/or a player uses such a removablememory device in an EGM to implement at least part of the presentdisclosure. In other embodiments, part or all of the program code and/orthe operating data is downloaded to the at least one memory device ofthe EGM through any suitable data network described above (such as anInternet or intranet).

The at least one memory device 1016 also stores a plurality of devicedrivers 1042. Examples of different types of device drivers includedevice drivers for EGM components and device drivers for the peripheralcomponents 1022. Typically, the device drivers 1042 utilize variouscommunication protocols that enable communication with a particularphysical device. The device driver abstracts the hardware implementationof that device. For example, a device driver may be written for eachtype of card reader that could potentially be connected to the EGM.Non-limiting examples of communication protocols used to implement thedevice drivers include Netplex, USB, Serial, Ethernet 175, Firewire, I/Odebouncer, direct memory map, serial, PCI, parallel, RF, Bluetooth™,near-field communications (e.g., using near-field magnetics), 802.11(WiFi), etc. In one embodiment, when one type of a particular device isexchanged for another type of the particular device, the at least oneprocessor of the EGM loads the new device driver from the at least onememory device to enable communication with the new device. For instance,one type of card reader in the EGM can be replaced with a seconddifferent type of card reader when device drivers for both card readersare stored in the at least one memory device.

In certain embodiments, the software units stored in the at least onememory device 1016 can be upgraded as needed. For instance, when the atleast one memory device 1016 is a hard drive, new games, new gameoptions, new parameters, new settings for existing parameters, newsettings for new parameters, new device drivers, and new communicationprotocols can be uploaded to the at least one memory device 1016 fromthe master game controller 1012 or from some other external device. Asanother example, when the at least one memory device 1016 includes aCD/DVD drive including a CD/DVD configured to store game options,parameters, and settings, the software stored in the at least one memorydevice 1016 can be upgraded by replacing a first CD/DVD with a secondCD/DVD. In yet another example, when the at least one memory device 1016uses flash memory 1019 or EPROM 1008 units configured to store games,game options, parameters, and settings, the software stored in the flashand/or EPROM memory units can be upgraded by replacing one or morememory units with new memory units that include the upgraded software.In another embodiment, one or more of the memory devices, such as thehard drive, may be employed in a game software download process from aremote software server.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory device 1016 also storesauthentication and/or validation components 1044 configured toauthenticate/validate specified EGM components and/or information, suchas hardware components, software components, firmware components,peripheral device components, user input device components, informationreceived from one or more user input devices, information stored in theat least one memory device 1016, etc. Examples of various authenticationand/or validation components are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,047,entitled “Electronic Gaming Apparatus Having Authentication Data Sets,”which is incorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments, the peripheral devices 1022 include severaldevice interfaces, such as: (1) at least one output device 1020including at least one display device 1035; (2) at least one inputdevice 1030 (which may include contact and/or non-contact interfaces);(3) at least one transponder 1054; (4) at least one wirelesscommunication component 1056; (5) at least one wired/wireless powerdistribution component 1058; (6) at least one sensor 1060; (7) at leastone data preservation component 1062; (8) at least one motion/gestureanalysis and interpretation component 1064; (9) at least one motiondetection component 1066; (10) at least one portable power source 1068;(11) at least one geolocation module 1076; (12) at least one useridentification module 1077; (13) at least one player/device trackingmodule 1078; and (14) at least one information filtering module 1079.

The at least one output device 1020 includes at least one display device1035 configured to display any game(s) displayed by the EGM and anysuitable information associated with such game(s). In certainembodiments, the display devices are connected to or mounted on ahousing of the EGM (described below). In various embodiments, thedisplay devices serve as digital glass configured to advertise certaingames or other aspects of the gaming establishment in which the EGM islocated. In various embodiments, the EGM includes one or more of thefollowing display devices: (a) a central display device; (b) a playertracking display configured to display various information regarding aplayer's player tracking status (as described below); (c) a secondary orupper display device in addition to the central display device and theplayer tracking display; (d) a credit display configured to display acurrent quantity of credits, amount of cash, account balance, or theequivalent; and (e) a bet display configured to display an amountwagered for one or more plays of one or more games. The example EGM 2000a illustrated in FIG. 6A includes a central display device 2116, aplayer tracking display 2140, a credit display 2120, and a bet display2122. The example EGM 2000 b illustrated in FIG. 6B includes a centraldisplay device 2116, an upper display device 2118, a player trackingdisplay 2140, a credit display 2120, and a bet display 2122.

In various embodiments, the display devices include, without limitation:a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), adisplay based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), adisplay based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display basedon a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a displayincluding a projected and/or reflected image, or any other suitableelectronic device or display mechanism. In certain embodiments, asdescribed above, the display device includes a touch-screen with anassociated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of anysuitable sizes, shapes, and configurations.

The display devices of the EGM are configured to display one or moregame and/or non-game images, symbols, and indicia. In certainembodiments, the display devices of the EGM are configured to displayany suitable visual representation or exhibition of the movement ofobjects; dynamic lighting; video images; images of people, characters,places, things, and faces of cards; and the like. In certainembodiments, the display devices of the EGM are configured to displayone or more video reels, one or more video wheels, and/or one or morevideo dice. In other embodiments, certain of the displayed images,symbols, and indicia are in mechanical form. That is, in theseembodiments, the display device includes any electromechanical device,such as one or more rotatable wheels, one or more reels, and/or one ormore dice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game orother suitable images, symbols, or indicia.

In various embodiments, the at least one output device 1020 includes apayout device. In these embodiments, after the EGM receives an actuationof a cashout device (described below), the EGM causes the payout deviceto provide a payment to the player. In one embodiment, the payout deviceis one or more of: (a) a ticket printer and dispenser configured toprint and dispense a ticket or credit slip associated with a monetaryvalue, wherein the ticket or credit slip may be redeemed for itsmonetary value via a cashier, a kiosk, or other suitable redemptionsystem; (b) a bill dispenser configured to dispense paper currency; (c)a coin dispenser configured to dispense coins or tokens (such as into acoin payout tray); and (d) any suitable combination thereof. The exampleEGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B each include aticket printer and dispenser 2136. Examples of ticket-in ticket-out(TITO) technology are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,361, entitled“Gaming Machine Information, Communication and Display System”; U.S.Pat. No. 5,470,079, entitled “Gaming Machine Accounting and MonitoringSystem”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,874, entitled “Cashless Gaming Apparatusand Method”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,957, entitled “Gaming Method and HostComputer with Ticket-In/Ticket-Out Capability”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,958,entitled “Gaming System with Ticket-In/Ticket-Out Capability”; U.S. Pat.No. 6,736,725, entitled “Gaming Method and Host Computer withTicket-In/Ticket-Out Capability”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,991, entitled“Slot Machine with Ticket-In/Ticket-Out Capability”; U.S. Pat. No.6,048,269, entitled “Coinless Slot Machine System and Method”; and U.S.Pat. No. 5,290,003, entitled “Gaming Machine and Coupons,” which areincorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments, rather than dispensing bills, coins, or aphysical ticket having a monetary value to the player following receiptof an actuation of the cashout device, the payout device is configuredto cause a payment to be provided to the player in the form of anelectronic funds transfer, such as via a direct deposit into a bankaccount, a casino account, or a prepaid account of the player; via atransfer of funds onto an electronically recordable identification cardor smart card of the player; or via sending a virtual ticket having amonetary value to an electronic device of the player. Examples ofproviding payment using virtual tickets are described in U.S. Pat. No.8,613,659, entitled “Virtual Ticket-In and Ticket-Out on a GamingMachine,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

While any credit balances, any wagers, any values, and any awards aredescribed herein as amounts of monetary credits or currency, one or moreof such credit balances, such wagers, such values, and such awards maybe for non-monetary credits, promotional credits, of player trackingpoints or credits.

In certain embodiments, the at least one output device 1020 is a soundgenerating device controlled by one or more sound cards. In one suchembodiment, the sound generating device includes one or more speakers orother sound generating hardware and/or software configured to generatesounds, such as by playing music for any games or by playing music forother modes of the EGM, such as an attract mode. The example EGMs 2000 aand 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B each include a plurality ofspeakers 2150. In another such embodiment, the EGM provides dynamicsounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one ormore of the display devices to provide an audio-visual representation orto otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players tothe EGM. In certain embodiments, the EGM displays a sequence of audioand/or visual attraction messages during idle periods to attractpotential players to the EGM. The videos may be customized to provideany appropriate information.

The at least one input device 1030 may include any suitable device thatenables an input signal to be produced and received by the at least oneprocessor 1010 of the EGM.

In one embodiment, the at least one input device 1030 includes a paymentdevice configured to communicate with the at least one processor of theEGM to fund the EGM. In certain embodiments, the payment device includesone or more of: (a) a bill acceptor into which paper money is insertedto fund the EGM; (b) a ticket acceptor into which a ticket or a voucheris inserted to fund the EGM; (c) a coin slot into which coins or tokensare inserted to fund the EGM; (d) a reader or a validator for creditcards, debit cards, or credit slips into which a credit card, debitcard, or credit slip is inserted to fund the EGM; (e) a playeridentification card reader into which a player identification card isinserted to fund the EGM; or (f) any suitable combination thereof. Theexample EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B eachinclude a combined bill and ticket acceptor 2128 and a coin slot 2126.

In one embodiment, the at least one input device 1030 includes a paymentdevice configured to enable the EGM to be funded via an electronic fundstransfer, such as a transfer of funds from a bank account. In anotherembodiment, the EGM includes a payment device configured to communicatewith a mobile device of a player, such as a mobile phone, a radiofrequency identification tag, or any other suitable wired or wirelessdevice, to retrieve relevant information associated with that player tofund the EGM. Examples of funding an EGM via communication between theEGM and a mobile device (such as a mobile phone) of a player aredescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0344942,entitled “Avatar as Security Measure for Mobile Device Use withElectronic Gaming Machine,” which is incorporated herein by reference.When the EGM is funded, the at least one processor determines the amountof funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on a creditdisplay or any other suitable display as described below.

In certain embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes atleast one wagering or betting device. In various embodiments, the one ormore wagering or betting devices are each: (1) a mechanical buttonsupported by the housing of the EGM (such as a hard key or aprogrammable soft key), or (2) an icon displayed on a display device ofthe EGM (described below) that is actuatable via a touch screen of theEGM (described below) or via use of a suitable input device of the EGM(such as a mouse or a joystick). One such wagering or betting device isas a maximum wager or bet device that, when actuated, causes the EGM toplace a maximum wager on a play of a game. Another such wagering orbetting device is a repeat bet device that, when actuated, causes theEGM to place a wager that is equal to the previously-placed wager on aplay of a game. A further such wagering or betting device is a bet onedevice that, when actuated, causes the EGM to increase the wager by onecredit. Generally, upon actuation of one of the wagering or bettingdevices, the quantity of credits displayed in a credit meter (describedbelow) decreases by the amount of credits wagered, while the quantity ofcredits displayed in a bet display (described below) increases by theamount of credits wagered.

In various embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes atleast one game play activation device. In various embodiments, the oneor more game play initiation devices are each: (1) a mechanical buttonsupported by the housing of the EGM (such as a hard key or aprogrammable soft key), or (2) an icon displayed on a display device ofthe EGM (described below) that is actuatable via a touch screen of theEGM (described below) or via use of a suitable input device of the EGM(such as a mouse or a joystick). After a player appropriately funds theEGM and places a wager, the EGM activates the game play activationdevice to enable the player to actuate the game play activation deviceto initiate a play of a game on the EGM (or another suitable sequence ofevents associated with the EGM). After the EGM receives an actuation ofthe game play activation device, the EGM initiates the play of the game.The example EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B eachinclude a game play activation device in the form of a game playinitiation button 2132. In other embodiments, the EGM begins game playautomatically upon appropriate funding rather than upon utilization ofthe game play activation device.

In other embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes acashout device. In various embodiments, the cashout device is: (1) amechanical button supported by the housing of the EGM (such as a hardkey or a programmable soft key), or (2) an icon displayed on a displaydevice of the EGM (described below) that is actuatable via a touchscreen of the EGM (described below) or via use of a suitable inputdevice of the EGM (such as a mouse or a joystick). When the EGM receivesan actuation of the cashout device from a player and the player has apositive (i.e., greater-than-zero) credit balance, the EGM initiates apayout associated with the player's credit balance. The example EGMs2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B each include a cashoutdevice in the form of a cashout button 2134.

In various embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes aplurality of buttons that are programmable by the EGM operator to, whenactuated, cause the EGM to perform particular functions. For instance,such buttons may be hard keys, programmable soft keys, or icons icondisplayed on a display device of the EGM (described below) that areactuatable via a touch screen of the EGM (described below) or via use ofa suitable input device of the EGM (such as a mouse or a joystick). Theexample EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B eachinclude a plurality of such buttons 2130.

In certain embodiments, the at least one input device 1030 includes atouch-screen coupled to a touch-screen controller or othertouch-sensitive display overlay to enable interaction with any imagesdisplayed on a display device (as described below). One such inputdevice is a conventional touch-screen button panel. The touch-screen andthe touch-screen controller are connected to a video controller. Inthese embodiments, signals are input to the EGM by touching the touchscreen at the appropriate locations.

In embodiments including a player tracking system, as further describedbelow, the at least one input device 1030 includes a card reader incommunication with the at least one processor of the EGM. The exampleEGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6 each include a cardreader 2138. The card reader is configured to read a playeridentification card inserted into the card reader.

The at least one wireless communication component 1056 includes one ormore communication interfaces having different architectures andutilizing a variety of protocols, such as (but not limited to) 802.11(WiFi); 802.15 (including Bluetooth™); 802.16 (WiMax); 802.22; cellularstandards such as CDMA, CDMA2000, and WCDMA; Radio Frequency (e.g.,RFID); infrared; and Near Field Magnetic communication protocols. The atleast one wireless communication component 1056 transmits electrical,electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams oranalog signals representing various types of information.

The at least one wired/wireless power distribution component 1058includes components or devices that are configured to provide power toother devices. For example, in one embodiment, the at least one powerdistribution component 1058 includes a magnetic induction system that isconfigured to provide wireless power to one or more user input devicesnear the EGM. In one embodiment, a user input device docking region isprovided, and includes a power distribution component that is configuredto recharge a user input device without requiring metal-to-metalcontact. In one embodiment, the at least one power distributioncomponent 1058 is configured to distribute power to one or more internalcomponents of the EGM, such as one or more rechargeable power sources(e.g., rechargeable batteries) located at the EGM.

In certain embodiments, the at least one sensor 1060 includes at leastone of: optical sensors, pressure sensors, RF sensors, infrared sensors,image sensors, thermal sensors, and biometric sensors. The at least onesensor 1060 may be used for a variety of functions, such as: detectingmovements and/or gestures of various objects within a predeterminedproximity to the EGM; detecting the presence and/or identity of variouspersons (e.g., players, casino employees, etc.), devices (e.g., userinput devices), and/or systems within a predetermined proximity to theEGM.

The at least one data preservation component 1062 is configured todetect or sense one or more events and/or conditions that, for example,may result in damage to the EGM and/or that may result in loss ofinformation associated with the EGM. Additionally, the data preservationsystem 1062 may be operable to initiate one or more appropriateaction(s) in response to the detection of such events/conditions.

The at least one motion/gesture analysis and interpretation component1064 is configured to analyze and/or interpret information relating todetected player movements and/or gestures to determine appropriateplayer input information relating to the detected player movementsand/or gestures. For example, in one embodiment, the at least onemotion/gesture analysis and interpretation component 1064 is configuredto perform one or more of the following functions: analyze the detectedgross motion or gestures of a player; interpret the player's motion orgestures (e.g., in the context of a casino game being played) toidentify instructions or input from the player; utilize the interpretedinstructions/input to advance the game state; etc. In other embodiments,at least a portion of these additional functions may be implemented at aremote system or device.

The at least one portable power source 1068 enables the EGM to operatein a mobile environment. For example, in one embodiment, the EGM 300includes one or more rechargeable batteries.

The at least one geolocation module 1076 is configured to acquiregeolocation information from one or more remote sources and use theacquired geolocation information to determine information relating to arelative and/or absolute position of the EGM. For example, in oneimplementation, the at least one geolocation module 1076 is configuredto receive GPS signal information for use in determining the position orlocation of the EGM. In another implementation, the at least onegeolocation module 1076 is configured to receive multiple wirelesssignals from multiple remote devices (e.g., EGMs, servers, wirelessaccess points, etc.) and use the signal information to computeposition/location information relating to the position or location ofthe EGM.

The at least one user identification module 1077 is configured todetermine the identity of the current user or current owner of the EGM.For example, in one embodiment, the current user is required to performa login process at the EGM in order to access one or more features.Alternatively, the EGM is configured to automatically determine theidentity of the current user based on one or more external signals, suchas an RFID tag or badge worn by the current user and that provides awireless signal to the EGM that is used to determine the identity of thecurrent user. In at least one embodiment, various security features areincorporated into the EGM to prevent unauthorized users from accessingconfidential or sensitive information.

The at least one information filtering module 1079 is configured toperform filtering (e.g., based on specified criteria) of selectedinformation to be displayed at one or more displays 1035 of the EGM.

In various embodiments, the EGM includes a plurality of communicationports configured to enable the at least one processor of the EGM tocommunicate with and to operate with external peripherals, such as:accelerometers, arcade sticks, bar code readers, bill validators,biometric input devices, bonus devices, button panels, card readers,coin dispensers, coin hoppers, display screens or other displays orvideo sources, expansion buses, information panels, keypads, lights,mass storage devices, microphones, motion sensors, motors, printers,reels, SCSI ports, solenoids, speakers, thumbsticks, ticket readers,touch screens, trackballs, touchpads, wheels, and wireless communicationdevices. U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,072 describes a variety of EGMs includingone or more communication ports that enable the EGMs to communicate andoperate with one or more external peripherals.

As generally described above, in certain embodiments, such as theexample EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the EGMhas a support structure, housing, or cabinet that provides support for aplurality of the input devices and the output devices of the EGM.Further, the EGM is configured such that a player may operate it whilestanding or sitting. In various embodiments, the EGM is positioned on abase or stand, or is configured as a pub-style tabletop game (not shown)that a player may operate typically while sitting. As illustrated by thedifferent example EGMs 2000 a and 2000 b shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, EGMsmay have varying housing and display configurations.

In certain embodiments, the EGM is a device that has obtained approvalfrom a regulatory gaming commission, and in other embodiments, the EGMis a device that has not obtained approval from a regulatory gamingcommission.

The EGMs described above are merely three examples of different types ofEGMs. Certain of these example EGMs may include one or more elementsthat may not be included in all gaming systems, and these example EGMsmay not include one or more elements that are included in other gamingsystems. For example, certain EGMs include a coin acceptor while othersdo not.

6. Operation of Primary or Base Games and/or Secondary or Bonus Games

In various embodiments, an EGM may be implemented in one of a variety ofdifferent configurations. In various embodiments, the EGM may beimplemented as one of: (a) a dedicated EGM in which computerized gameprograms executable by the EGM for controlling any primary or base games(referred to herein as “primary games”) and/or any secondary or bonusgames or other functions (referred to herein as “secondary games”)displayed by the EGM are provided with the EGM before delivery to agaming establishment or before being provided to a player; and (b) achangeable EGM in which computerized game programs executable by the EGMfor controlling any primary games and/or secondary games displayed bythe EGM are downloadable or otherwise transferred to the EGM through adata network or remote communication link; from a USB drive, flashmemory card, or other suitable memory device; or in any other suitablemanner after the EGM is physically located in a gaming establishment orafter the EGM is provided to a player.

As generally explained above, in various embodiments in which the gamingsystem includes a central server, central controller, or remote host anda changeable EGM, the at least one memory device of the central server,central controller, or remote host stores different game programs andinstructions executable by the at least one processor of the changeableEGM to control one or more primary games and/or secondary gamesdisplayed by the changeable EGM. More specifically, each such executablegame program represents a different game or a different type of gamethat the at least one changeable EGM is configured to operate. In oneexample, certain of the game programs are executable by the changeableEGM to operate games having the same or substantially the same game playbut different paytables. In different embodiments, each executable gameprogram is associated with a primary game, a secondary game, or both. Incertain embodiments, an executable game program is executable by the atleast one processor of the at least one changeable EGM as a secondarygame to be played simultaneously with a play of a primary game (whichmay be downloaded to or otherwise stored on the at least one changeableEGM), or vice versa.

In operation of such embodiments, the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host is configured to communicate one or more ofthe stored executable game programs to the at least one processor of thechangeable EGM. In different embodiments, a stored executable gameprogram is communicated or delivered to the at least one processor ofthe changeable EGM by: (a) embedding the executable game program in adevice or a component (such as a microchip to be inserted into thechangeable EGM); (b) writing the executable game program onto a disc orother media; or (c) uploading or streaming the executable game programover a data network (such as a dedicated data network). After theexecutable game program is communicated from the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host to the changeable EGM, the at least oneprocessor of the changeable EGM executes the executable game program toenable the primary game and/or the secondary game associated with thatexecutable game program to be played using the display device(s) and/orthe input device(s) of the changeable EGM. That is, when an executablegame program is communicated to the at least one processor of thechangeable EGM, the at least one processor of the changeable EGM changesthe game or the type of game that may be played using the changeableEGM.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system randomly determines any gameoutcome(s) (such as a win outcome) and/or award(s) (such as a quantityof credits to award for the win outcome) for a play of a primary gameand/or a play of a secondary game based on probability data. In certainsuch embodiments, this random determination is provided throughutilization of an RNG, such as a true RNG or a pseudo RNG, or any othersuitable randomization process. In one such embodiment, each gameoutcome or award is associated with a probability, and the gaming systemgenerates the game outcome(s) and/or the award(s) to be provided basedon the associated probabilities. In these embodiments, since the gamingsystem generates game outcomes and/or awards randomly or based on one ormore probability calculations, there is no certainty that the gamingsystem will ever provide any specific game outcome and/or award.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system maintains one or morepredetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes and/orawards. In certain such embodiments, upon generation or receipt of agame outcome and/or award request, the gaming system independentlyselects one of the predetermined game outcomes and/or awards from theone or more pools or sets. The gaming system flags or marks the selectedgame outcome and/or award as used. Once a game outcome or an award isflagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from itsrespective pool or set; that is, the gaming system does not select thatgame outcome or award upon another game outcome and/or award request.The gaming system provides the selected game outcome and/or award.Examples of this type of award evaluation are described in U.S. Pat. No.7,470,183, entitled “Finite Pool Gaming Method and Apparatus”; U.S. Pat.No. 7,563,163, entitled “Gaming Device Including Outcome Pools forProviding Game Outcomes”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,833,092, entitled “Method andSystem for Compensating for Player Choice in a Game of Chance”; U.S.Pat. No. 8,070,579, entitled “Bingo System with Downloadable CommonPatterns”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,398,472, entitled “Central DeterminationPoker Game,” which are incorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system determines a predeterminedgame outcome and/or award based on the results of a bingo, keno, orlottery game. In certain such embodiments, the gaming system utilizesone or more bingo, keno, or lottery games to determine the predeterminedgame outcome and/or award provided for a primary game and/or a secondarygame. The gaming system is provided or associated with a bingo card.Each bingo card consists of a matrix or array of elements, wherein eachelement is designated with separate indicia. After a bingo card isprovided, the gaming system randomly selects or draws a plurality of theelements. As each element is selected, a determination is made as towhether the selected element is present on the bingo card. If theselected element is present on the bingo card, that selected element onthe provided bingo card is marked or flagged. This process of selectingelements and marking any selected elements on the provided bingo cardscontinues until one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one ormore of the provided bingo cards. After one or more predeterminedpatterns are marked on one or more of the provided bingo cards, gameoutcome and/or award is determined based, at least in part, on theselected elements on the provided bingo cards. Examples of this type ofaward determination are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,774, entitled“Using Multiple Bingo Cards to Represent Multiple Slot Paylines andOther Class III Game Options”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,581, entitled“Multi-Player Bingo Game with Multiple Alternative Outcome Displays”;U.S. Pat. No. 7,955,170, entitled “Providing Non-Bingo Outcomes for aBingo Game”; U.S. Pat. No. 8,070,579, entitled “Bingo System withDownloadable Common Patterns”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,500,538, entitled“Bingo Gaming System and Method for Providing Multiple Outcomes fromSingle Bingo Pattern,” which are incorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments in which the gaming system includes a centralserver, central controller, or remote host and an EGM, the EGM isconfigured to communicate with the central server, central controller,or remote host for monitoring purposes only. In such embodiments, theEGM determines the game outcome(s) and/or award(s) to be provided in anyof the manners described above, and the central server, centralcontroller, or remote host monitors the activities and events occurringon the EGM. In one such embodiment, the gaming system includes areal-time or online accounting and gaming information system configuredto communicate with the central server, central controller, or remotehost. In this embodiment, the accounting and gaming information systemincludes: (a) a player database configured to store player profiles, (b)a player tracking module configured to track players (as describedbelow), and (c) a credit system configured to provide automatedtransactions. Examples of such accounting systems are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,913,534, entitled “Gaming Machine Having a Lottery Game andCapability for Integration with Gaming Device Accounting System andPlayer Tracking System,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,597,116, entitled “VirtualPlayer Tracking and Related Services,” which are incorporated herein byreference.

As noted above, in various embodiments, the gaming system includes oneor more executable game programs executable by at least one processor ofthe gaming system to provide one or more primary games and one or moresecondary games. The primary game(s) and the secondary game(s) maycomprise any suitable games and/or wagering games, such as, but notlimited to: electro-mechanical or video slot or spinning reel typegames; video card games such as video draw poker, multi-hand video drawpoker, other video poker games, video blackjack games, and videobaccarat games; video keno games; video bingo games; and video selectiongames.

In certain embodiments in which the primary game is a slot or spinningreel type game, the gaming system includes one or more reels in eitheran electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or in a videoform with simulated reels and movement thereof. Each reel displays aplurality of indicia or symbols, such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers,letters, bars, or other images that typically correspond to a themeassociated with the gaming system. In certain such embodiments, thegaming system includes one or more paylines associated with the reels.The example EGM 2000 b shown in FIG. 6B includes a payline 1152 and aplurality of reels 1154. In certain embodiments, one or more of thereels are independent reels or unisymbol reels. In such embodiments,each independent reel generates and displays one symbol.

In various embodiments, one or more of the paylines is horizontal,vertical, circular, diagonal, angled, or any suitable combinationthereof. In other embodiments, each of one or more of the paylines isassociated with a plurality of adjacent symbol display areas on arequisite number of adjacent reels. In one such embodiment, one or morepaylines are formed between at least two symbol display areas that areadjacent to each other by either sharing a common side or sharing acommon corner (i.e., such paylines are connected paylines). The gamingsystem enables a wager to be placed on one or more of such paylines toactivate such paylines. In other embodiments in which one or morepaylines are formed between at least two adjacent symbol display areas,the gaming system enables a wager to be placed on a plurality of symboldisplay areas, which activates those symbol display areas.

In various embodiments, the gaming system provides one or more awardsafter a spin of the reels when specified types and/or configurations ofthe indicia or symbols on the reels occur on an active payline orotherwise occur in a winning pattern, occur on the requisite number ofadjacent reels, and/or occur in a scatter pay arrangement.

In certain embodiments, the gaming system employs a ways to win awarddetermination. In these embodiments, any outcome to be provided isdetermined based on a number of associated symbols that are generated inactive symbol display areas on the requisite number of adjacent reels(i.e., not on paylines passing through any displayed winning symbolcombinations). If a winning symbol combination is generated on thereels, one award for that occurrence of the generated winning symbolcombination is provided. Examples of ways to win award determinationsare described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,012,011, entitled “Gaming Device andMethod Having Independent Reels and Multiple Ways of Winning”; U.S. Pat.No. 8,241,104, entitled “Gaming Device and Method Having DesignatedRules for Determining Ways To Win”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,430,739,entitled “Gaming System and Method Having Wager Dependent DifferentSymbol Evaluations,” which are incorporated herein by reference.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes a progressive award.Typically, a progressive award includes an initial amount and anadditional amount funded through a portion of each wager placed toinitiate a play of a primary game. When one or more triggering eventsoccurs, the gaming system provides at least a portion of the progressiveaward. After the gaming system provides the progressive award, an amountof the progressive award is reset to the initial amount and a portion ofeach subsequent wager is allocated to the next progressive award.Examples of progressive gaming systems are described in U.S. Pat. No.7,585,223, entitled “Server Based Gaming System Having MultipleProgressive Awards”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,392, entitled “Gaming DeviceSystem Having Partial Progressive Payout”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,666,093,entitled “Gaming Method and Device Involving Progressive Wagers”; U.S.Pat. No. 7,780,523, entitled “Server Based Gaming System Having MultipleProgressive Awards”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,298, entitled “GamingDevice Having Multiple Different Types of Progressive Awards,” which areincorporated herein by reference

As generally noted above, in addition to providing winning credits orother awards for one or more plays of the primary game(s), in variousembodiments the gaming system provides credits or other awards for oneor more plays of one or more secondary games. The secondary gametypically enables an award to be obtained addition to any award obtainedthrough play of the primary game(s). The secondary game(s) typicallyproduces a higher level of player excitement than the primary game(s)because the secondary game(s) provides a greater expectation of winningthan the primary game(s) and is accompanied with more attractive orunusual features than the primary game(s). The secondary game(s) may beany type of suitable game, either similar to or completely differentfrom the primary game.

In various embodiments, the gaming system automatically provides orinitiates the secondary game upon the occurrence of a triggering eventor the satisfaction of a qualifying condition. In other embodiments, thegaming system initiates the secondary game upon the occurrence of thetriggering event or the satisfaction of the qualifying condition andupon receipt of an initiation input. In certain embodiments, thetriggering event or qualifying condition is a selected outcome in theprimary game(s) or a particular arrangement of one or more indicia on adisplay device for a play of the primary game(s), such as a “BONUS”symbol appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline following aspin of the reels for a play of the primary game. In other embodiments,the triggering event or qualifying condition occurs based on a certainamount of game play (such as number of games, number of credits, amountof time) being exceeded, or based on a specified number of points beingearned during game play. Any suitable triggering event or qualifyingcondition or any suitable combination of a plurality of differenttriggering events or qualifying conditions may be employed.

In other embodiments, at least one processor of the gaming systemrandomly determines when to provide one or more plays of one or moresecondary games. In one such embodiment, no apparent reason is providedfor providing the secondary game. In this embodiment, qualifying for asecondary game is not triggered by the occurrence of an event in anyprimary game or based specifically on any of the plays of any primarygame. That is, qualification is provided without any explanation or,alternatively, with a simple explanation. In another such embodiment,the gaming system determines qualification for a secondary game at leastpartially based on a game triggered or symbol triggered event, such asat least partially based on play of a primary game.

In various embodiments, after qualification for a secondary game hasbeen determined, the secondary game participation may be enhancedthrough continued play on the primary game. Thus, in certainembodiments, for each secondary game qualifying event, such as asecondary game symbol, that is obtained, a given number of secondarygame wagering points or credits is accumulated in a “secondary gamemeter” configured to accrue the secondary game wagering credits orentries toward eventual participation in the secondary game. In one suchembodiment, the occurrence of multiple such secondary game qualifyingevents in the primary game results in an arithmetic or exponentialincrease in the number of secondary game wagering credits awarded. Inanother such embodiment, any extra secondary game wagering credits maybe redeemed during the secondary game to extend play of the secondarygame.

In certain embodiments, no separate entry fee or buy-in for thesecondary game is required. That is, entry into the secondary gamecannot be purchased; rather, in these embodiments entry must be won orearned through play of the primary game, thereby encouraging play of theprimary game. In other embodiments, qualification for the secondary gameis accomplished through a simple “buy-in.” For example, qualificationthrough other specified activities is unsuccessful, payment of a fee orplacement of an additional wager “buys-in” to the secondary game. Incertain embodiments, a separate side wager must be placed on thesecondary game or a wager of a designated amount must be placed on theprimary game to enable qualification for the secondary game. In theseembodiments, the secondary game triggering event must occur and the sidewager (or designated primary game wager amount) must have been placedfor the secondary game to trigger.

In various embodiments in which the gaming system includes a pluralityof EGMs, the EGMs are configured to communicate with one another toprovide a group gaming environment. In certain such embodiments, theEGMs enable players of those EGMs to work in conjunction with oneanother, such as by enabling the players to play together as a team orgroup, to win one or more awards. In other such embodiments, the EGMsenable players of those EGMs to compete against one another for one ormore awards. In one such embodiment, the EGMs enable the players ofthose EGMs to participate in one or more gaming tournaments for one ormore awards. Examples of group gaming systems are described in U.S. Pat.No. 8,070,583, entitled “Server Based Gaming System and Method forSelectively Providing One or More Different Tournaments”; U.S. Pat. No.8,500,548, entitled “Gaming System and Method for Providing TeamProgressive Awards”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,562,423, entitled “Method andApparatus for Rewarding Multiple Game Players for a Single Win,” whichare incorporated herein by reference.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes one or more playertracking systems. Such player tracking systems enable operators of thegaming system (such as casinos or other gaming establishments) torecognize the value of customer loyalty by identifying frequentcustomers and rewarding them for their patronage. Such a player trackingsystem is configured to track a player's gaming activity. In one suchembodiment, the player tracking system does so through the use of playertracking cards. In this embodiment, a player is issued a playeridentification card that has an encoded player identification numberthat uniquely identifies the player. When the player's playing trackingcard is inserted into a card reader of the gaming system to begin agaming session, the card reader reads the player identification numberoff the player tracking card to identify the player. The gaming systemtimely tracks any suitable information or data relating to theidentified player's gaming session. The gaming system also timely trackswhen the player tracking card is removed to conclude play for thatgaming session. In another embodiment, rather than requiring insertionof a player tracking card into the card reader, the gaming systemutilizes one or more portable devices, such as a mobile phone, a radiofrequency identification tag, or any other suitable wireless device, totrack when a gaming session begins and ends. In another embodiment, thegaming system utilizes any suitable biometric technology or tickettechnology to track when a gaming session begins and ends.

In such embodiments, during one or more gaming sessions, the gamingsystem tracks any suitable information or data, such as any amountswagered, average wager amounts, and/or the time at which these wagersare placed. In different embodiments, for one or more players, theplayer tracking system includes the player's account number, theplayer's card number, the player's first name, the player's surname, theplayer's preferred name, the player's player tracking ranking, anypromotion status associated with the player's player tracking card, theplayer's address, the player's birthday, the player's anniversary, theplayer's recent gaming sessions, or any other suitable data. In variousembodiments, such tracked information and/or any suitable featureassociated with the player tracking system is displayed on a playertracking display. In various embodiments, such tracked informationand/or any suitable feature associated with the player tracking systemis displayed via one or more service windows that are displayed on thecentral display device and/or the upper display device. Examples ofplayer tracking systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,985,entitled “Universal Player Tracking System”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,387,entitled “Player Tracking Communication Mechanisms in a Gaming Machine”;U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,605, entitled “Player Tracking Assembly for CompletePatron Tracking for Both Gaming and Non-Gaming Casino Activity”; U.S.Pat. No. 7,611,411, entitled “Player Tracking Instruments HavingMultiple Communication Modes”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,151, entitled“Alternative Player Tracking Techniques”; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,057,298,entitled “Virtual Player Tracking and Related Services,” which areincorporated herein by reference.

7. Web-Based Gaming

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes one or more serversconfigured to communicate with a personal gaming device—such as asmartphone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a laptopcomputer—to enable web-based game play using the personal gaming device.In various embodiments, the player must first access a gaming websitevia an Internet browser of the personal gaming device or execute anapplication (commonly called an “app”) installed on the personal gamingdevice before the player can use the personal gaming device toparticipate in web-based game play. In certain embodiments, the one ormore servers and the personal gaming device operate in a thin-clientenvironment. In these embodiments, the personal gaming device receivesinputs via one or more input devices (such as a touch screen and/orphysical buttons), the personal gaming device sends the received inputsto the one or more servers, the one or more servers make variousdeterminations based on the inputs and determine content to be displayed(such as a randomly determined game outcome and corresponding award),the one or more servers send the content to the personal gaming device,and the personal gaming device displays the content.

In certain such embodiments, the one or more servers must identify theplayer before enabling game play on the personal gaming device (or, insome embodiments, before enabling monetary wager-based game play on thepersonal gaming device). In these embodiments, the player must identifyherself to the one or more servers, such as by inputting the player'sunique username and password combination, providing an input to abiometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, a retinal sensor, a voicesensor, or a facial-recognition sensor), or providing any other suitableinformation.

Once identified, the one or more servers enable the player to establishan account balance from which the player can draw credits usable towager on plays of a game. In certain embodiments, the one or moreservers enable the player to initiate an electronic funds transfer totransfer funds from a bank account to the player's account balance. Inother embodiments, the one or more servers enable the player to make apayment using the player's credit card, debit card, or other suitabledevice to add money to the player's account balance. In otherembodiments, the one or more servers enable the player to add money tothe player's account balance via a peer-to-peer type application, suchas PayPal or Venmo. The one or more servers also enable the player tocash out the player's account balance (or part of it) in any suitablemanner, such as via an electronic funds transfer, by initiating creationof a paper check that is mailed to the player, or by initiating printingof a voucher at a kiosk in a gaming establishment.

In certain embodiments, the one or more servers include a payment serverthat handles establishing and cashing out players' account balances anda separate game server configured to determine the outcome and anyassociated award for a play of a game. In these embodiments, the gameserver is configured to communicate with the personal gaming device andthe payment device, and the personal gaming device and the paymentdevice are not configured to directly communicate with one another. Inthese embodiments, when the game server receives data representing arequest to start a play of a game at a desired wager, the game serversends data representing the desired wager to the payment server. Thepayment server determines whether the player's account balance can coverthe desired wager (i.e., includes a monetary balance at least equal tothe desired wager).

If the payment server determines that the player's account balancecannot cover the desired wager, the payment server notifies the gameserver, which then instructs the personal gaming device to display asuitable notification to the player that the player's account balance istoo low to place the desired wager. If the payment server determinesthat the player's account balance can cover the desired wager, thepayment server deducts the desired wager from the account balance andnotifies the game server. The game server then determines an outcome andany associated award for the play of the game. The game server notifiesthe payment server of any nonzero award, and the payment serverincreases the player's account balance by the nonzero award. The gameserver sends data representing the outcome and any award to the personalgaming device, which displays the outcome and any award.

In certain embodiments, the one or more servers enable web-based gameplay using a personal gaming device only if the personal gaming devicesatisfies one or more jurisdictional requirements. In one embodiment,the one or more servers enable web-based game play using the personalgaming device only if the personal gaming device is located within adesignated geographic area (such as within certain state or county linesor within the boundaries of a gaming establishment). In this embodiment,the geolocation module of the personal gaming device determines thelocation of the personal gaming device and sends the location to the oneor more servers, which determine whether the personal gaming device islocated within the designated geographic area. In various embodiments,the one or more servers enable non-monetary wager-based game play if thepersonal gaming device is located outside of the designated geographicarea.

In various embodiments, the gaming system includes an EGM configured tocommunicate with a personal gaming device—such as a smartphone, a tabletcomputer, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer—to enable tetheredmobile game play using the personal gaming device. Generally, in theseembodiments, the EGM establishes communication with the personal gamingdevice and enables the player to play games on the EGM remotely via thepersonal gaming device. In certain embodiments, the gaming systemincludes a geo-fence system that enables tethered game play within aparticular geographic area but not outside of that geographic area.Examples of tethering an EGM to a personal gaming device and geo-fencingare described in U.S. Patent Appl. Pub. No. 2013/0267324, entitled“Remote Gaming Method Allowing Temporary Inactivation WithoutTerminating Playing Session Due to Game Inactivity,” which isincorporated herein by reference.

8. Social Network Integration

In certain embodiments, the gaming system is configured to communicatewith a social network server that hosts or partially hosts a socialnetworking website via a data network (such as the Internet) tointegrate a player's gaming experience with the player's socialnetworking account. This enables the gaming system to send certaininformation to the social network server that the social network servercan use to create content (such as text, an image, and/or a video) andpost it to the player's wall, newsfeed, or similar area of the socialnetworking website accessible by the player's connections (and incertain cases the public) such that the player's connections can viewthat information. This also enables the gaming system to receive certaininformation from the social network server, such as the player's likesor dislikes or the player's list of connections. In certain embodiments,the gaming system enables the player to link the player's player accountto the player's social networking account(s). This enables the gamingsystem to, once it identifies the player and initiates a gaming session(such as via the player logging in to a website (or an application) onthe player's personal gaming device or via the player inserting theplayer's player tracking card into an EGM), link that gaming session tothe player's social networking account(s). In other embodiments, thegaming system enables the player to link the player's social networkingaccount(s) to individual gaming sessions when desired by providing therequired login information.

For instance, in one embodiment, if a player wins a particular award(e.g., a progressive award or a jackpot award) or an award that exceedsa certain threshold (e.g., an award exceeding $1,000), the gaming systemsends information about the award to the social network server to enablethe server to create associated content (such as a screenshot of theoutcome and associated award) and to post that content to the player'swall (or other suitable area) of the social networking website for theplayer's connections to see (and to entice them to play). In anotherembodiment, if a player joins a multiplayer game and there is anotherseat available, the gaming system sends that information to the socialnetwork sever to enable the server to create associated content (such astext indicating a vacancy for that particular game) and to post thatcontent to the player's wall (or other suitable area) of the socialnetworking website for the player's connections to see (and to enticethem to fill the vacancy). In another embodiment, if the playerconsents, the gaming system sends advertisement information or offerinformation to the social network server to enable the social networkserver to create associated content (such as text or an image reflectingan advertisement and/or an offer) and to post that content to theplayer's wall (or other suitable area) of the social networking websitefor the player's connections to see. In another embodiment, the gamingsystem enables the player to recommend a game to the player'sconnections by posting a recommendation to the player's wall (or othersuitable area) of the social networking website.

9. Differentiating Certain Gaming Systems from General Purpose ComputingDevices

Certain of the gaming systems described herein, such as EGMs located ina casino or another gaming establishment, include certain componentsand/or are configured to operate in certain manners that differentiatethese systems from general purpose computing devices, i.e., certainpersonal gaming devices such as desktop computers and laptop computers.

For instance, EGMs are highly regulated to ensure fairness and, in manycases, EGMs are configured to award monetary awards up to multiplemillions of dollars. To satisfy security and regulatory requirements ina gaming environment, hardware and/or software architectures areimplemented in EGMs that differ significantly from those of generalpurpose computing devices. For purposes of illustration, a descriptionof EGMs relative to general purpose computing devices and some examplesof these additional (or different) hardware and/or softwarearchitectures found in EGMs are described below.

At first glance, one might think that adapting general purpose computingdevice technologies to the gaming industry and EGMs would be a simpleproposition because both general purpose computing devices and EGMsemploy processors that control a variety of devices. However, due to atleast: (1) the regulatory requirements placed on EGMs, (2) the harshenvironment in which EGMs operate, (3) security requirements, and (4)fault tolerance requirements, adapting general purpose computing devicetechnologies to EGMs can be quite difficult. Further, techniques andmethods for solving a problem in the general purpose computing deviceindustry, such as device compatibility and connectivity issues, mightnot be adequate in the gaming industry. For instance, a fault or aweakness tolerated in a general purpose computing device, such assecurity holes in software or frequent crashes, is not tolerated in anEGM because in an EGM these faults can lead to a direct loss of fundsfrom the EGM, such as stolen cash or loss of revenue when the EGM is notoperating properly or when the random outcome determination ismanipulated.

Certain differences between general purpose computing devices and EGMsare described below. A first difference between EGMs and general purposecomputing devices is that EGMs are state-based systems. A state-basedsystem stores and maintains its current state in a non-volatile memorysuch that, in the event of a power failure or other malfunction, thestate-based system can return to that state when the power is restoredor the malfunction is remedied. For instance, for a state-based EGM, ifthe EGM displays an award for a game of chance but the power to the EGMfails before the EGM provides the award to the player, the EGM storesthe pre-power failure state in a non-volatile memory, returns to thatstate upon restoration of power, and provides the award to the player.This requirement affects the software and hardware design on EGMs.General purpose computing devices are not state-based machines, and amajority of data is usually lost when a malfunction occurs on a generalpurpose computing device.

A second difference between EGMs and general purpose computing devicesis that, for regulatory purposes, the software on the EGM utilized tooperate the EGM has been designed to be static and monolithic to preventcheating by the operator of the EGM. For instance, one solution that hasbeen employed in the gaming industry to prevent cheating and to satisfyregulatory requirements has been to manufacture an EGM that can use aproprietary processor running instructions to provide the game of chancefrom an EPROM or other form of non-volatile memory. The codinginstructions on the EPROM are static (non-changeable) and must beapproved by a gaming regulators in a particular jurisdiction andinstalled in the presence of a person representing the gamingjurisdiction. Any changes to any part of the software required togenerate the game of chance, such as adding a new device driver used tooperate a device during generation of the game of chance, can requireburning a new EPROM approved by the gaming jurisdiction and reinstallingthe new EPROM on the EGM in the presence of a gaming regulator.Regardless of whether the EPROM solution is used, to gain approval inmost gaming jurisdictions, an EGM must demonstrate sufficient safeguardsthat prevent an operator or a player of an EGM from manipulating theEGM's hardware and software in a manner that gives him an unfair, and insome cases illegal, advantage.

A third difference between EGMs and general purpose computing devices isauthentication—EGMs storing code are configured to authenticate the codeto determine if the code is unaltered before executing the code. If thecode has been altered, the EGM prevents the code from being executed.The code authentication requirements in the gaming industry affect bothhardware and software designs on EGMs. Certain EGMs use hash functionsto authenticate code. For instance, one EGM stores game program code, ahash function, and an authentication hash (which may be encrypted).Before executing the game program code, the EGM hashes the game programcode using the hash function to obtain a result hash and compares theresult hash to the authentication hash. If the result hash matches theauthentication hash, the EGM determines that the game program code isvalid and executes the game program code. If the result hash does notmatch the authentication hash, the EGM determines that the game programcode has been altered (i.e., may have been tampered with) and preventsexecution of the game program code. Examples of EGM code authenticationare described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,530, entitled “Authentication in aSecure Computerized Gaming System”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,641, entitled“Encryption in a Secure Computerized Gaming System”; U.S. Pat. No.7,201,662, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Software Authentication”;and U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,097, entitled “System and Method EnablingParallel Processing of Hash Functions Using Authentication CheckpointHashes,” which are incorporated herein by reference.

A fourth difference between EGMs and general purpose computing devicesis that EGMs have unique peripheral device requirements that differ fromthose of a general purpose computing device, such as peripheral devicesecurity requirements not usually addressed by general purpose computingdevices. For instance, monetary devices, such as coin dispensers, billvalidators, and ticket printers and computing devices that are used togovern the input and output of cash or other items having monetary value(such as tickets) to and from an EGM have security requirements that arenot typically addressed in general purpose computing devices. Therefore,many general purpose computing device techniques and methods developedto facilitate device connectivity and device compatibility do notaddress the emphasis placed on security in the gaming industry.

To address some of the issues described above, a number ofhardware/software components and architectures are utilized in EGMs thatare not typically found in general purpose computing devices. Thesehardware/software components and architectures, as described below inmore detail, include but are not limited to watchdog timers, voltagemonitoring systems, state-based software architecture and supportinghardware, specialized communication interfaces, security monitoring, andtrusted memory.

Certain EGMs use a watchdog timer to provide a software failuredetection mechanism. In a normally-operating EGM, the operating softwareperiodically accesses control registers in the watchdog timer subsystemto “re-trigger” the watchdog. Should the operating software fail toaccess the control registers within a preset timeframe, the watchdogtimer will timeout and generate a system reset. Typical watchdog timercircuits include a loadable timeout counter register to enable theoperating software to set the timeout interval within a certain range oftime. A differentiating feature of some circuits is that the operatingsoftware cannot completely disable the function of the watchdog timer.In other words, the watchdog timer always functions from the time poweris applied to the board.

Certain EGMs use several power supply voltages to operate portions ofthe computer circuitry. These can be generated in a central power supplyor locally on the computer board. If any of these voltages falls out ofthe tolerance limits of the circuitry they power, unpredictableoperation of the EGM may result. Though most modern general purposecomputing devices include voltage monitoring circuitry, these types ofcircuits only report voltage status to the operating software. Out oftolerance voltages can cause software malfunction, creating a potentialuncontrolled condition in the general purpose computing device. CertainEGMs have power supplies with relatively tighter voltage margins thanthat required by the operating circuitry. In addition, the voltagemonitoring circuitry implemented in certain EGMs typically has twothresholds of control. The first threshold generates a software eventthat can be detected by the operating software and an error conditionthen generated. This threshold is triggered when a power supply voltagefalls out of the tolerance range of the power supply, but is stillwithin the operating range of the circuitry. The second threshold is setwhen a power supply voltage falls out of the operating tolerance of thecircuitry. In this case, the circuitry generates a reset, haltingoperation of the EGM.

As described above, certain EGMs are state-based machines. Differentfunctions of the game provided by the EGM (e.g., bet, play, result,points in the graphical presentation, etc.) may be defined as a state.When the EGM moves a game from one state to another, the EGM storescritical data regarding the game software in a custom non-volatilememory subsystem. This ensures that the player's wager and credits arepreserved and to minimize potential disputes in the event of amalfunction on the EGM. In general, the EGM does not advance from afirst state to a second state until critical information that enablesthe first state to be reconstructed has been stored. This featureenables the EGM to recover operation to the current state of play in theevent of a malfunction, loss of power, etc. that occurred just beforethe malfunction. In at least one embodiment, the EGM is configured tostore such critical information using atomic transactions.

Generally, an atomic operation in computer science refers to a set ofoperations that can be combined so that they appear to the rest of thesystem to be a single operation with only two possible outcomes: successor failure. As related to data storage, an atomic transaction may becharacterized as series of database operations which either all occur,or all do not occur. A guarantee of atomicity prevents updates to thedatabase occurring only partially, which can result in data corruption.

To ensure the success of atomic transactions relating to criticalinformation to be stored in the EGM memory before a failure event (e.g.,malfunction, loss of power, etc.), memory that includes one or more ofthe following criteria be used: direct memory access capability; dataread/write capability which meets or exceeds minimum read/write accesscharacteristics (such as at least 5.08 Mbytes/sec (Read) and/or at least38.0 Mbytes/sec (Write)). Memory devices that meet or exceed the abovecriteria may be referred to as “fault-tolerant” memory devices.

Typically, battery-backed RAM devices may be configured to function asfault-tolerant devices according to the above criteria, whereas flashRAM and/or disk drive memory are typically not configurable to functionas fault-tolerant devices according to the above criteria. Accordingly,battery-backed RAM devices are typically used to preserve EGM criticaldata, although other types of non-volatile memory devices may beemployed. These memory devices are typically not used in typical generalpurpose computing devices.

Thus, in at least one embodiment, the EGM is configured to storecritical information in fault-tolerant memory (e.g., battery-backed RAMdevices) using atomic transactions. Further, in at least one embodiment,the fault-tolerant memory is able to successfully complete all desiredatomic transactions (e.g., relating to the storage of EGM criticalinformation) within a time period of 200 milliseconds or less. In atleast one embodiment, the time period of 200 milliseconds represents amaximum amount of time for which sufficient power may be available tothe various EGM components after a power outage event has occurred atthe EGM.

As described previously, the EGM may not advance from a first state to asecond state until critical information that enables the first state tobe reconstructed has been atomically stored. After the state of the EGMis restored during the play of a game of chance, game play may resumeand the game may be completed in a manner that is no different than ifthe malfunction had not occurred. Thus, for example, when a malfunctionoccurs during a game of chance, the EGM may be restored to a state inthe game of chance just before when the malfunction occurred. Therestored state may include metering information and graphicalinformation that was displayed on the EGM in the state before themalfunction. For example, when the malfunction occurs during the play ofa card game after the cards have been dealt, the EGM may be restoredwith the cards that were previously displayed as part of the card game.As another example, a bonus game may be triggered during the play of agame of chance in which a player is required to make a number ofselections on a video display screen. When a malfunction has occurredafter the player has made one or more selections, the EGM may berestored to a state that shows the graphical presentation just beforethe malfunction including an indication of selections that have alreadybeen made by the player. In general, the EGM may be restored to anystate in a plurality of states that occur in the game of chance thatoccurs while the game of chance is played or to states that occurbetween the play of a game of chance.

Game history information regarding previous games played such as anamount wagered, the outcome of the game, and the like may also be storedin a non-volatile memory device. The information stored in thenon-volatile memory may be detailed enough to reconstruct a portion ofthe graphical presentation that was previously presented on the EGM andthe state of the EGM (e.g., credits) at the time the game of chance wasplayed. The game history information may be utilized in the event of adispute. For example, a player may decide that in a previous game ofchance that they did not receive credit for an award that they believedthey won. The game history information may be used to reconstruct thestate of the EGM before, during, and/or after the disputed game todemonstrate whether the player was correct or not in the player'sassertion. Examples of a state-based EGM , recovery from malfunctions,and game history are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,804,763, entitled“High Performance Battery Backed RAM Interface”; U.S. Pat. No.6,863,608, entitled “Frame Capture of Actual Game Play”; U.S. Pat. No.7,111,141, entitled “Dynamic NV-RAM”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,339,entitled, “Frame Capture of Actual Game Play,” which are incorporatedherein by reference.

Another feature of EGMs is that they often include unique interfaces,including serial interfaces, to connect to specific subsystems internaland external to the EGM. The serial devices may have electricalinterface requirements that differ from the “standard” EIA serialinterfaces provided by general purpose computing devices. Theseinterfaces may include, for example, Fiber Optic Serial, opticallycoupled serial interfaces, current loop style serial interfaces, etc. Inaddition, to conserve serial interfaces internally in the EGM, serialdevices may be connected in a shared, daisy-chain fashion in whichmultiple peripheral devices are connected to a single serial channel.

The serial interfaces may be used to transmit information usingcommunication protocols that are unique to the gaming industry. Forexample, IGT's Netplex is a proprietary communication protocol used forserial communication between EGMs. As another example, SAS is acommunication protocol used to transmit information, such as meteringinformation, from an EGM to a remote device. Often SAS is used inconjunction with a player tracking system.

Certain EGMs may alternatively be treated as peripheral devices to acasino communication controller and connected in a shared daisy chainfashion to a single serial interface. In both cases, the peripheraldevices are assigned device addresses. If so, the serial controllercircuitry must implement a method to generate or detect unique deviceaddresses. General purpose computing device serial ports are not able todo this.

Security monitoring circuits detect intrusion into an EGM by monitoringsecurity switches attached to access doors in the EGM cabinet. Accessviolations result in suspension of game play and can trigger additionalsecurity operations to preserve the current state of game play. Thesecircuits also function when power is off by use of a battery backup. Inpower-off operation, these circuits continue to monitor the access doorsof the EGM. When power is restored, the EGM can determine whether anysecurity violations occurred while power was off, e.g., via software forreading status registers. This can trigger event log entries and furtherdata authentication operations by the EGM software.

Trusted memory devices and/or trusted memory sources are included in anEGM to ensure the authenticity of the software that may be stored onless secure memory subsystems, such as mass storage devices. Trustedmemory devices and controlling circuitry are typically designed to notenable modification of the code and data stored in the memory devicewhile the memory device is installed in the EGM. The code and datastored in these devices may include authentication algorithms, randomnumber generators, authentication keys, operating system kernels, etc.The purpose of these trusted memory devices is to provide gamingregulatory authorities a root trusted authority within the computingenvironment of the EGM that can be tracked and verified as original.This may be accomplished via removal of the trusted memory device fromthe EGM computer and verification of the secure memory device contentsis a separate third party verification device. Once the trusted memorydevice is verified as authentic, and based on the approval of theverification algorithms included in the trusted device, the EGM isenabled to verify the authenticity of additional code and data that maybe located in the gaming computer assembly, such as code and data storedon hard disk drives. Examples of trusted memory devices are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,685,567, entitled “Process Verification,” which isincorporated herein by reference.

In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the trusted memorydevices/sources may correspond to memory that cannot easily be altered(e.g., “unalterable memory”) such as EPROMS, PROMS, Bios, Extended Bios,and/or other memory sources that are able to be configured, verified,and/or authenticated (e.g., for authenticity) in a secure and controlledmanner.

According to one embodiment, when a trusted information source is incommunication with a remote device via a network, the remote device mayemploy a verification scheme to verify the identity of the trustedinformation source. For example, the trusted information source and theremote device may exchange information using public and privateencryption keys to verify each other's identities. In anotherembodiment, the remote device and the trusted information source mayengage in methods using zero knowledge proofs to authenticate each oftheir respective identities.

EGMs storing trusted information may utilize apparatuses or methods todetect and prevent tampering. For instance, trusted information storedin a trusted memory device may be encrypted to prevent its misuse. Inaddition, the trusted memory device may be secured behind a locked door.Further, one or more sensors may be coupled to the memory device todetect tampering with the memory device and provide some record of thetampering. In yet another example, the memory device storing trustedinformation might be designed to detect tampering attempts and clear orerase itself when an attempt at tampering has been detected. Examples oftrusted memory devices/sources are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,515,718,entitled “Secured Virtual Network in a Gaming Environment,” which isincorporated herein by reference.

Mass storage devices used in a general purpose computing devicestypically enable code and data to be read from and written to the massstorage device. In a gaming environment, modification of the gaming codestored on a mass storage device is strictly controlled and would only beenabled under specific maintenance type events with electronic andphysical enablers required. Though this level of security could beprovided by software, EGMs that include mass storage devices includehardware level mass storage data protection circuitry that operates atthe circuit level to monitor attempts to modify data on the mass storagedevice and will generate both software and hardware error triggersshould a data modification be attempted without the proper electronicand physical enablers being present. Examples of using a mass storagedevice are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,522, entitled “Method ofAuthenticating Game Data Sets in an Electronic Casino Gaming System,”which is incorporated herein by reference.

Various changes and modifications to the present embodiments describedherein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes andmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present subject matter and without diminishing its intendedadvantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modificationsbe covered by the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A gaming system comprising: aprocessor; and a memory device that stores instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to: initiate a play of awagering game responsive to receipt of a game-initiation input;determine whether a transforming card triggering event occurred;responsive to determining that the transforming card triggering eventoccurred: randomly determine a first quantity of non-transforming cardsfrom a set of multiple different non-transforming cards and form a handof cards including the first quantity of non-transforming cards and atransforming card; cause a display device to display the hand of cards;cause an input device to, for each non-transforming card in the hand ofcards, enable input of a hold input for that non-transforming card;designate each non-transforming card for which the hold input is notreceived as a non-held non-transforming card; for each of any non-heldnon-transforming cards, randomly determine a replacementnon-transforming card from the set of non-transforming cards and causethe display device to replace that non-held non-transforming card withthat replacement non-transforming card; and afterwards, cause thedisplay device to replace the transforming card with one of thenon-transforming cards remaining in the set of non-transforming cards tomaximize a value of the hand of cards; determine any award based on thehand of cards and a paytable; and cause the display device to displayany award.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the instructions,when executed by the processor, cause the processor to cause the displaydevice to replace the transforming card in the hand of cards with one ofthe non-transforming cards remaining in the set of non-transformingcards to maximize the value of the hand of cards by replacing thetransforming card with the non-transforming card remaining in the set ofnon-transforming cards that maximizes a ranking of the hand of cardsaccording to the paytable.
 3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor tocause the display device to replace the transforming card in the hand ofcards with one of the non-transforming cards remaining in the set ofnon-transforming cards to maximize the value of the hand of cards byreplacing the transforming card with the non-transforming card remainingin the set of non-transforming cards that maximizes the award accordingto the paytable.
 4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:responsive to determining that the transforming card triggering eventoccurred: designate each non-transforming card for which the hold inputis received as a held non-transforming card; cause the display device toadd the transforming card and each held non-transforming card to anadditional hand of cards; responsive to the additional hand of cardsincluding fewer than a second quantity of cards, determine one or moreadditional non-transforming cards from an additional set of multipledifferent non-transforming cards to add to the additional hand of cardssuch that the additional hand of cards includes the second quantity ofcards and cause the display device to display the one or more additionalnon-transforming cards; and afterwards, cause the display device toreplace the transforming card in the additional hand of cards with oneof the non-transforming cards remaining in the additional set ofnon-transforming cards to maximize a value of the additional hand ofcards; determine any additional award for the additional hand of cardsbased on the additional hand of cards and the paytable; and cause thedisplay device to display any additional award.
 5. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, causethe processor to, responsive to determining that the transforming cardtriggering event did not occur: randomly determine a second quantity ofnon-transforming cards from the set of multiple differentnon-transforming cards and form the hand of cards including the secondquantity of non-transforming cards, wherein the second quantity isgreater than the first quantity; cause the display device to display thehand of cards; cause the input device to, for each non-transforming cardin the hand of cards, enable input of the hold input for thatnon-transforming card; designate each non-transforming card for whichthe hold input is not received as a non-held non-transforming card; andfor each of any non-held non-transforming cards, randomly determine areplacement non-transforming card from the set of non-transforming cardsand cause the display device to replace that non-held non-transformingcard with that replacement non-transforming card.
 6. The gaming systemof claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to determine which non-transforming card remainingin the set of non-transforming cards to use to replace the transformingcard to maximize the value of the hand of cards based at least in parton suits and values of the non-transforming cards in the hand of cardsand suits and values of the remaining cards in the set ofnon-transforming cards.
 7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein thedisplay device is part of a mobile device.
 8. The gaming system of claim7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to, responsive to receiving a location of the mobile device:determine whether the mobile device is located within a designatedgaming area; responsive to determining that the mobile device is locatedwithin the designated gaming area, enable initiation of the play of thewagering game; and responsive to determining that the mobile device isnot located within the designated gaming area, prevent initiation of theplay of the wagering game.
 9. The gaming system of claim 7, furthercomprising a network interface, wherein the game-initiation inputidentifies a desired wager amount, and wherein the instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to: responsive to receiptof the game-initiation input, send, by the network interface, a desiredwager amount to a payment server; responsive to receiving, from thepayment server and via the network interface, a sufficient fundsindication, initiate the play of the wagering game; and responsive toreceiving, from the payment server and via the network interface, aninsufficient funds indication, not initiate the play of the wageringgame.
 10. The gaming system of claim 1, further comprising the displaydevice, the input device, and an acceptor configured to receive aphysical item associated with a monetary value, and wherein theinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:establish a credit balance responsive to receipt, by the acceptor, ofthe physical item; place a wager on and initiate the play of thewagering game responsive to receipt of the game-initiation input, thecredit balance decreasable by the wager and increasable by any award;and initiate a cashout of the credit balance responsive to receipt of acashout input.
 11. A method of operating a gaming system, the methodcomprising: initiating, by a processor, a play of a wagering gameresponsive to receipt of a game-initiation input; determining, by theprocessor, whether a transforming card triggering event occurred;responsive to determining that the transforming card triggering eventoccurred: randomly determining, by the processor, a first quantity ofnon-transforming cards from a set of multiple different non-transformingcards and forming, by the processor, a hand of cards including the firstquantity of non-transforming cards and a transforming card; causing, bythe processor, a display device to display the hand of cards; causing,by the processor, an input device to, for each non-transforming card inthe hand of cards, enable input of a hold input for thatnon-transforming card; designating, by the processor, eachnon-transforming card for which the hold input is not received as anon-held non-transforming card; for each of any non-heldnon-transforming cards, randomly determining, by the processor, areplacement non-transforming card from the set of non-transforming cardsand causing, by the processor, the display device to replace thatnon-held non-transforming card with that replacement non-transformingcard; and afterwards, causing, by the processor, the display device toreplace the transforming card with one of the non-transforming cardsremaining in the set of non-transforming cards to maximize a value ofthe hand of cards; determining, by the processor, any award based on thehand of cards and a paytable; and causing, by the processor, the displaydevice to display any award.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising causing, by the processor, the display device to replace thetransforming card in the hand of cards with one of the non-transformingcards remaining in the set of non-transforming cards to maximize thevalue of the hand of cards by replacing the transforming card with thenon-transforming card remaining in the set of non-transforming cardsthat maximizes a ranking of the hand of cards according to the paytable.13. The method of claim 11, further comprising causing, by theprocessor, the display device to replace the transforming card in thehand of cards with one of the non-transforming cards remaining in theset of non-transforming cards to maximize the value of the hand of cardsby replacing the transforming card with the non-transforming cardremaining in the set of non-transforming cards that maximizes the awardaccording to the paytable.
 14. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: responsive to determining that the transforming cardtriggering event occurred: designating, by the processor, eachnon-transforming card for which the hold input is received as a heldnon-transforming card; causing, by the processor, the display device toadd the transforming card and each held non-transforming card to anadditional hand of cards; responsive to the additional hand of cardsincluding fewer than a second quantity of cards, determining, by theprocessor, one or more additional non-transforming cards from anadditional set of multiple different non-transforming cards to add tothe additional hand of cards such that the additional hand of cardsincludes the second quantity of cards and causing, by the processor, thedisplay device to display the one or more additional non-transformingcards; and afterwards, causing, by the processor, the display device toreplace the transforming card in the additional hand of cards with oneof the non-transforming cards remaining in the additional set ofnon-transforming cards to maximize a value of the additional hand ofcards; determining, by the processor, any additional award for theadditional hand of cards based on the additional hand of cards and thepaytable; and causing, by the processor, the display device to displayany additional award.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising,responsive to determining that the transforming card triggering eventdid not occur: randomly determining, by the processor, a second quantityof non-transforming cards from the set of multiple differentnon-transforming cards and forming, by the processor, the hand of cardsincluding the second quantity of non-transforming cards, wherein thesecond quantity is greater than the first quantity; causing, by theprocessor, the display device to display the hand of cards; causing, bythe processor, the input device to, for each non-transforming card inthe hand of cards, enable input of the hold input for thatnon-transforming card; designating, by the processor, eachnon-transforming card for which the hold input is not received as anon-held non-transforming card; and for each of any non-heldnon-transforming cards, randomly determining, by the processor, areplacement non-transforming card from the set of non-transforming cardsand causing, by the processor, the display device to replace thatnon-held non-transforming card with that replacement non-transformingcard.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining, by theprocessor, which non-transforming card remaining in the set ofnon-transforming cards to use to replace the transforming card tomaximize the value of the hand of cards based at least in part on suitsand values of the non-transforming cards in the hand of cards and suitsand values of the remaining cards in the set of non-transforming cards.17. The method of claim 11, wherein the display device is part of amobile device.
 18. The gaming system of claim 17, further comprising,responsive to receiving a location of the mobile device: determining, bythe processor, whether the mobile device is located within a designatedgaming area; responsive to determining that the mobile device is locatedwithin the designated gaming area, enabling, by the processor,initiation of the play of the wagering game; and responsive todetermining that the mobile device is not located within the designatedgaming area, preventing, by the processor, initiation of the play of thewagering game.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:responsive to receipt of the game-initiation input, sending, by anetwork interface, a desired wager amount to a payment server;responsive to receiving, from the payment server and via the networkinterface, a sufficient funds indication, initiating, by the processor,the play of the wagering game; and responsive to receiving, from thepayment server and via the network interface, an insufficient fundsindication, not initiating, by the processor, the play of the wageringgame.
 20. The method of claim 11, further comprising: establishing, bythe processor, a credit balance responsive to receipt, by an acceptor,of a physical item; placing, by the processor, a wager on andinitiating, by the processor, the play of the wagering game responsiveto receipt of the game-initiation input, the credit balance decreasableby the wager and increasable by any award; and initiating, by theprocessor, a cashout of the credit balance responsive to receipt of acashout input.